Area state legislators urge local support for Food Bank of the Southern Tier ~ 'Fighting Hunger Together' online voting ends April 30

Elmira, N.Y., April 16—State Senator Tom O’Mara (R,C-Big Flats), Assemblyman Chris Friend (R,C,I-Big Flats) and Assemblyman Phil Palmesano (R,C,I-Corning) reminded area residents that they can help support the Food Bank of the Southern Tier by voting online in the Walmart Foundation-sponsored “Fighting Hunger Together” contest.

The contest ends on Tuesday, April 30, 2013.

In a statement, O’Mara, Friend and Palmesano said: “We are grateful to have this opportunity to help spread the word on a genuinely meaningful local cause and to help support the Food Bank of the Southern Tier in its outstanding work.  All of our support will go to make a real difference in the lives of area students and their families.”

Since April 1st, the Food Bank of the Southern Tier has been competing with food banks across the country in the online voting contest and is currently running in 32nd place.  The 40 food banks receiving the most votes through the “Fighting Hunger Together” Facebook page will each receive a $45,000 grant from the Walmart Foundation.

If successful, the Food Bank of the Southern Tier plans to utilize the grant funding to “expand our BackPack Program to all 41 school districts in our service area, and improve child nutrition by introducing local fruits and vegetables from local New York farms.”

To vote daily or to find out more, visit the Food Bank of the Southern Tier.

The area lawmakers stressed that each voter is allowed to vote once a day in the contest.