Washburn University is victorious once again, but this time, it’s not in athletics or academics.

In the second annual “Can Emporia” food drive the Ichabods prevailed, collecting 25,537 canned food items to Emporia’s 13,200. The winner was announced at the Washburn-Emporia football game.

“Angel Romero did an excellent job coordinating the fundraiser,” said Vince Bowhay, president of the Washburn Student Government Association.

The real purpose of the competition was to help Topeka food drive organization “Let’s Help.” The 25,500-plus cans of food raised benefited more than 2,000 families in the Topeka area.

“The main cause was to help out the surrounding community,” said Bowhay.

In last year’s food drive Emporia came away with a convincing victory. Using that defeat as motivation, Washburn took more action with this year’s food drive. WSGA worked in collaboration with many businesses and organizations. The Washburn Bookstore gave a 5 percent discount on items for every can a student brought in. Cold Stone Creamery had a Washburn discount night, with the money earned going toward the food drive. Both Chipotle and Target donated gift cards to the cause as well. The main contributor of the food drive was a unique source, The Great Porn Debate. Around 8,000 cans were raised by the entrance fee of 10 canned food items or $10. An increased allocation of funds to Washburn’s student organizations through WSGA also contributed to the victory.

Both Washburn and Emporia plan on having the same food drive contest next year.