Bismarck High Schools Hold Annual Food Drive

Bismarck High and Century High are collecting donations to support student food pantries this week.

Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Philanthropy

Bold vector editorial illustration showing a stack of cardboard boxes filled with food, representing a community-wide school food drive. — Bismarck High and Century High are hosting their annual food drive this week to replenish school-based pantries and address local food insecurity. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Bismarck High School and Century High School have launched their annual food drive to support their internal food pantries for students. The initiative accepts both nonperishable food items and monetary donations.

Why it matters

The drive addresses local food insecurity by providing necessary resources that students can take home. This partnership helps ensure that the schools can maintain pantry stocks for those in need.

Monetary contributions are calculated at a rate of $1 per pound of food. The donation drive covers pantry staples including cereal, canned fruit, sauces, condiments, peanut butter, and jelly.

The players

Bismarck High School

Bismarck High School is a secondary educational institution in Bismarck that operates an on-site food pantry for its students.

Century High School

Century High School is a public secondary school in Bismarck that manages a student-focused food pantry.

The details

The competing schools are collecting donations throughout the week and will announce the winner of the drive during halftime of their football game. Residents can contribute to the effort at both school campuses or at the Community Bowl during the upcoming game.

The donation collection period runs through the week of October 20, 2026.
School-site food drop-offs must be completed by Wednesday, October 21, 2026.
A final donation opportunity is available at the Community Bowl on Thursday, October 22, 2026.
The football game at the Community Bowl kicks off at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 22, 2026.

Market Landscape

This drive follows the broader national trend of school-based food pantries, where educational institutions take on a direct role in mitigating local student food insecurity. By integrating charitable efforts with local sports, the schools capitalize on community engagement to sustain these essential programs.

Residents can support local students by dropping off nonperishable items or cash donations at the designated school sites or the football game. These contributions directly replenish pantry stocks, ensuring students have consistent access to meals at home.

The takeaway

Supporting this drive provides direct assistance to local students who rely on school food pantries. Community members can participate by providing staples like peanut butter, jelly, and canned goods through the end of the week.