FARGO – The Great Plains Food Bank has named the Dream Center Bismarck, Steele County Food Pantry in Finley and the Mountrail Community Food Pantry in Stanley as its 2023 Agency of the Year award winners.

The Agency of the Year award is the highest honor given to the Great Plains Food Bank’s network of 200 food pantries, shelters and soup kitchens located throughout North Dakota and Clay County, Minnesota. These partners were nominated for their exceptional commitment to those they have served over the previous calendar year.

The Mountrail Community Food Pantry received the Passion Award. A Great Plains Food Bank partner for more than three decades, the Stanley pantry is the lone food pantry in Mountrail County and is counted on by individuals in Parshall, Plaza, New Town, Ross, White Earth, Palermo, Blaisdell, Stanley and the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation. In 2023, Mountrail Community Food Pantry helped 1,430 households and distributed 134,022 pounds of food.

“They have built one of the most effective food pantries for a community this size,” the nomination stated. “They have included a large number of local businesses who donate time and muscle to help out. They have created a ‘no judgment’ zone and offer respect and dignity to those who choose to visit their facility. Their compassion is unlimited. The community sees this happening and acknowledges the need for food pantries. They have brought an entire community (including county commissioners) to work together to feed the less fortunate among them.”