The Green Mountain Power Fill the Cupboard Challenge has achieved its goal, collecting 25,000 food items.

A total of 26,085 items were collected by 67 local businesses, community groups, schools and organizations between Sept. 10 and Oct. 5, surpassing the previous mark of 23,953 set in 2011.

“After a stellar collection last year, it could have been very easy for the Challenge to level off a bit,” said Rutland Community Cupboard Coordinator Sue Bassett. “However, Green Mountain Power stepped in and really challenged the community to get involved at an even higher level.”

The food collected is used to restock shelves at the food pantry after a busy summer and to bolster supplies heading toward the holiday season.

Rutland South Rotary won the challenge by collecting a total of 2,801 food items. GMP will donate $500 to the Cupboard in their name.

GMP will also make a $6,250 contribution to fulfill its pledge of 25 cents for each food item collected up to 25,000 items. The combined $6,750 contribution will be presented to the Community Cupboard next summer, when food donations are at their lowest point annually.

In 2011, the Cupboard distributed more than 250,000 items to area residents, serving about 500 families each month. The highest distribution for a single month was nearly 26,000 items.

The annual Fill the Cupboard Challenge, which was created in 2002 by Central Vermont Public Service Corp., has generated more than 170,000 items for the Cupboard during its existence. The 2012 Challenge was the first under the direction of Green Mountain Power.

“Knowing the importance of community food drives in Vermont, as well as CVPS’s past record of involvement with this event, GMP was eager to take on the responsibility of ensuring the future success of the Challenge after our merger with CV,” said Mary Powell, president and CEO of Green Mountain Power.