Senator Akshar, Broome County Executive Garnar and Mayor David Partner to Help CHOW Feed Local Families

BINGHAMTON, NY - Senator Fred Akshar, County Executive Jason Garnar and City of Binghamton Mayor Richard C. David on Wednesday announced a special Thanksgiving food drive in downtown Binghamton to benefit Community Hunger Outreach Warehouse (CHOW), a program of the Broome County Council of Churches.

The third annual “Government Plaza Thanksgiving Food Challenge” challenges community members and government employees at the city, county and state levels to donate non-perishable food items to help local families in need next week.

From November 15-19, CHOW collection barrels will be available for donation between 8am - 5pm in the lobbies of the State Office Building, Broome County Office Building and Binghamton City Hall. At the end of the week, items from each building will be tallied to see which building collected the most food. The winner will be announced on November 22.

Last year, Community members and government employees at the city, county and state levels donated 11,000 community meals to local families in need through non-perishable food and cash donations, with the State Office Building delivering the largest share of donations.

For those who don’t have time to grocery shop, donations can be made online at www.BroomeCouncil.Net/Donate. For every dollar donated, CHOW is able to distribute 5 meals to families in need.

Each year, CHOW, through its network of nearly 100 partner agencies (pantries, community meals and non-profit organizations), distributes over 2.2 million meals to assure those struggling with food insecurity do not go without.

In Broome County, 1 in 8 individuals and 1 in 5 children are food insecure.

State Senator Fred Akshar (R,C,I, Endwell) said, “We’re so fortunate to live in a community that truly cares for those in need. That's why we’re partnering once again at the state and local level to help CHOW feed local families during this difficult Thanksgiving season. I’m urging everyone across our community to consider helping us collect food or making a donation toward the purchase of meals. For some families this Thanksgiving, your donation could make all the difference.”

Broome County Executive Jason Garnar said, “Broome County is again proud to be helping feed families this Thanksgiving. This is a great partnerships that continues to make a difference in our community. I encourage our residents to take some time to drop off those non-perishable food items at Government Plaza.”

City of Binghamton Mayor Richard C. David said, “This is a great way for government employees and the community to come together and help local residents in need during the Thanksgiving season. The men and women in Government Plaza are here to serve the public, and I know they are eager to join us in stepping again up this year to help feed local families.”

CHOW Director Les Aylesworth said,“We at CHOW® are so grateful for Senator Akshar, the City of Binghamton, and Broome County’s partnership on this food drive. This time of year the need for our services is very high and this challenge will be a fun way to assure our shelves are stocked and our neighbors do not go without this Thanksgiving.”