'Fighting Hunger Together' ~ Last day to support our regional food banks ~ Online voting ends today, Tuesday, April 30th

Elmira, N.Y.—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 regional food banks -- the Food Bank of the Southern Tier and Foodlink -- 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: “Our regional food banks provide admirable and outstanding service to our families and residents in need. So we are proud to be able to help spread the word about this opportunity to help support the Food Bank of the Southern Tier and Foodlink in the ‘Fighting Hunger Together’ contest.  We all can make a real difference in many lives.”

The Food Bank of the Southern Tier serves Broome, Chemung, Schuyler, Steuben, Tioga and Tompkins counties.

Foodlink serves a 10-county region including Yates County.

Since April 1st, the Food Bank of the Southern Tier and Foodlink have been competing with food banks across the country in the online voting contest.  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.  Both organizations are currently in the top 40.

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.”

Foodlink plans to support its programs and services providing healthy meals to school-age children regionally, including the Summer Meals and Kids Cafe programs.

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

In Yates County, to support Foodlink, go to the ‘Fighting Hunger Together’ web page at: http://wm8.walmart.com/hunger

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