KELLOGG — Shoshone Medical Center (SMC) wrapped up 2021 with a little friendly staff competition that resulted in a truck load of food being donated to Real Life Ministries Silver Valley’s food room.

SMC Marketing Coordinator Cendra Graham explained that the hospital staff was divided up into four teams and challenged to see who could bring in the most non-perishable items.

Efforts were greatly appreciated by the Real Life staff, and manager/benevolence lead Michelle Carr wanted to thank everyone who participated in the event.

“Food drives are incredibly helpful to the food room's ability to help our community throughout the year. With the holidays and the generous donations of turkeys and other sides for a turkey box at Thanksgiving, we served an amazing amount of people,” Carr said. “There were no waiting lists, we were able to serve all of the families that needed and wanted a holiday box. We had an abundant supply of everything and were able to carry it through into the Christmas season. Because of the generosity of the people doing the food drives, we were able to bless and love on so many families this holiday season. We are so thankful for your willingness to serve our community along with us with your donations.”

The donated items were categorized by a point system, with foods such as cake mixes and baking items being scored at 1-point and higher demand items such as hygiene products being valued at 5 points.

The winning group ended the contest with a total score of 1,188 points which earned the winning team a pizza party.

“All employees were more than happy to donate to help out those in need throughout our community,” Graham said.

With the success of the Christmas challenge, Graham said that SMC is already working to organize a second food drive for its staff to participate in this spring.

“We will switch up the teams and then plan on doing it during hospital week, which is in May," Graham said. "We felt like it was a really good idea to do it in spring, because a lot of people donate during the holidays, and they don't see as many donations in the springtime.”