Employees at the Freeborn County Department of Human Services have issued a challenge to the employees of the Freeborn County Government Center.

March is Food Drive month and these county employees want to help stock the food shelves of the following Freeborn County food shelves:

Albert Lea Salvation Army, the Ecumenical Food Pantry (housed in the Presbyterian Church of Albert Lea), and the Alden Area Food Shelf, located at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Alden.

Until March 31, both buildings are collecting non-perishable items to replenish the shelves of these non-profit agencies, which will help provide valuable food items to families who can sometimes use that little extra help with meeting their basic nutritional needs.

The DHS staff has teamed up with Freeborn County Highway Department employees to collect as many food items as possible. These items are being weighed each Friday (in the month of March) and the total weights tallied. Government Center employees will be doing the same, with the help of the Court Administrator&8217;s office, and Shellrock Watershed. The Freeborn County commissioners will also be lending a helping hand by contributing to both buildings efforts.

Donated items from the public or any other organizations will be accepted at either the DHS or Government Center buildings. The drive cannot accept donations of home-baked, home-preserved foods or outdated goods.

Monetary donations will be accepted. One dollar donated will count as one pound of food contributed and the cash will be utilized by the food shelves to purchase specific items that are in need. Donations of cash should be in U.S. currency only and checks may be made out to a specific food shelf site (or Channel 1) and are tax deductible.

This effort will involve approximately 180 employees of the Government Center, 90 members of the Department of Human Services, 25 Highway Department workers, 15 Court Administrator employees, five Shellrock River Watershed employees and the five Freeborn County commissioners.

The main drop off areas of each building are:

DHS &045; Room 221 in the child protection area

Government Center &045; the mailroom

The end of March will determine the &8220;winners&8221; of the challenge who will then be served treats on April 15 by the losing opponents.