Binghamton, NY – Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo, Senator Lea Webb, County Executive Jason Garnar, Sheriff Fred Akshar, City of Binghamton Mayor Jared Kraham, the Koffman Southern Tier Incubator, the Small Business Development Center (SBDC), and the Binghamton University College of Community and Public Affairs (CCPA) 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.

Initially launched by Sheriff Akshar when he served in the NYS Senate, the "Downtown Thanksgiving Food Challenge" asks 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. For the second year in a row, the Koffman Incubator, SBDC, and CCPA are joining in on the friendly competition as Team University.

From November 18-22, CHOW collection barrels will be available to receive donations between 8am - 5pm in each of the participant’s lobby*. At the end of the week, items from each building will be tallied to see which team collected the most food. The winner will be announced on November 25.

Last year, community members and government employees at the city, county and state levels donated almost 14,000 meals to local families in need through non-perishable and cash donations, with the newcomer Team University delivering the largest donation.

For those who don't have time to grocery shop, donations can be made online at the Broome Council Web site, and donors can specify which team their donation is on behalf of by making the donation a gift.

For every dollar donated, CHOW is able to distribute 5 meals to families in need. In Broome County alone, 1 in 8 individuals and 1 in 6 children are food insecure. Each year, CHOW, through its network of nearly 100 partner agencies (pantries, community meals and non-profit organizations), distributes over 2.2 million pounds of food.

*BARREL SITES

Team State

Binghamton State Office Building – 44 Hawley St. Binghamton, NY 13901

Team County

Broome County Office Building – 60 Hawley St. Binghamton, NY 13901

Broome County Sheriff’s Office – 155 Lt Vanwinkle Dr, Binghamton, NY 13905

Team City

Binghamton City Hall – 38 Hawley St. Binghamton, NY 13901

Team University

University Downtown Center (CCPA) – 67 Washington St. Binghamton, NY 13902

Koffman Southern Tier Incubator & Small Business Development Center – 120 Hawley St. Binghamton, NY 13901

Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo said, “I am very happy to help keep this long-standing tradition alive. It is really gratifying to see so many community partners coming together for this Thanksgiving food drive. As before, we will be accepting food and monetary donations during this friendly competition. We cannot thank CHOW enough for the work they do on a daily basis to address food insecurity in our community. Hopefully our effort will make things a little easier for them during this holiday season.”

Senator Lea Webb said, "I would like to thank Assemblymember Donna Lupardo for leading this effort to tackle food insecurity and ensure that local families have access to holiday meals this Thanksgiving. I’m honored to work alongside state and local partners, as well as community organizations, to raise awareness and support donations right here at the Binghamton State Office Building. Let’s come together this season to uplift our neighbors and make sure that even more families have the holiday meals they deserve."

Broome County Executive Jason Garnar said, "Thank you to our Broome County employees for stepping up to make a difference in our community. We're proud to be supporting those in need in Broome County this holiday season and appreciate everything CHOW does for our community."

Sheriff Fred Akshar said, “Thank you to all our community workers at the state, county and local municipal level for their continued dedication to caring for our neighbors and feeding local families in need. Our Broome County Sheriff’s Office family is proud to team up with Broome County Executive Garnar and the Office of Emergency Services to host a donation station at the Broome County Sheriff’s Office in the Public Safety Facility to collect as much as we can for this excellent cause. No matter the outcome of this year’s friendly competition, when our community’s children and families have enough to eat, we all win.”

City of Binghamton Mayor Jared Kraham said, "From the employees at Government Plaza to the students and staff at Binghamton University, Downtown Binghamton is filled with people who care deeply about our community and are devoted to serving the public. This annual food drive taps into that, bringing people together to help feed local families and support the incredible work of CHOW. On behalf of the hardworking men and women at City Hall, we are proud to take part in this food drive again and eager to help make a difference."

CHOW Director Les Aylesworth said, “This has been an especially difficult year for families trying to put food on their table. Persistent inflation has made it hard for everyone to make sure they have enough to eat – but especially those with limited resources. That’s why I’m proud of our elected leaders coming together to address this crucial need to make sure ALL our neighbors, young and old alike, don’t go hungry this year.”

SBDC Business Advisor Robin Alpaugh said, “This marks the second year that the Koffman Southern Tier Incubator and Small Business Development Center, as part of ‘Team University,’ joins the Thanksgiving Food Challenge to support CHOW and local families in need. After winning last year, we’re excited to come together again with our partners in downtown Binghamton to make a positive impact this holiday season...and hopefully take home the Golden Yam yet again!"

Eric Krohn, Director, Business Incubation Programming, Koffman Southern Tier Incubator, said, "The Koffman Southern Tier Incubator is committed to building and sustaining the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Broome County. This commitment includes ensuring our wider community has access to necessary resources and services at all times, not just during the holiday season. Through programs like CHOW and Toy for Tots, we're grateful to help support and inspire those who need it most, and might just be our community's next great creative entrepreneurial mind."

Stacy Marrow, Director, CCPA College Support and Special Initiatives, said “Food is a fundamental human right, and access to an adequate food supply is not just a matter of provision; recognizing food as a fundamental human right requires equitable access to resources. The College of Community and Public Affairs food pantry serves Binghamton University students with nutritious food in a judgment-free atmosphere. Participating in this fun challenge helps us support CHOW and address a significant issue for college students by bolstering wider access to food for students in our community. We are ready to compete!”