HAYS COUNTY — Throughout April and May, teams competed to donate the most pounds of fresh or non-perishable food as part of the Hays County Food Bank’s Spring Harvest Challenge.

The Hays County Food Bank’s goal was to involve the community in providing clients with a variety of food including fresh produce. Many families struggle to access healthy and fresh foods due to the rising cost of food, which is why the food bank’s staff designed this campaign to provide nourishing options to those in need.

The Dunbar Community Garden brought in the most overall pounds of fresh produce, donating 325 pounds of green beans, onions, kale and more.

“Their dedication to the harvest part of the challenge was truly inspiring,” a news release stated.

The Hill Country Christian NJHS brought in the most overall pounds of non-perishable food from its annual class food drive — the group collected and donated 1,245 pounds of food to help feed local families in need.

“We’re grateful to everyone who participated in the Spring Healthy Harvest campaign and helped us make a positive impact in our community. In total, we collected 2,473 pounds of fresh produce and 7,147 pounds of shelf-stable foods during this challenge. Hundreds of families in need benefitted from this food drive, and we hope that this experience has inspired people to continue donating food or funds throughout the year,” the news release continued.