CHOW, Food Bank team up to fight Broome hunger

BINGHAMTON — A new partnership between the Food Bank of the Southern Tier and Community Hunger Outreach Warehouse was formed with the hopes of reducing the thousands of Broome County residents facing hunger and food insecurity.

CHOW has become the Food Bank’s first and only re-distribution organization, an affiliation that will improve the program’s access to local, state and federal resources to distribute more food across Broome, said the Rev. Joseph Sellepack, executive director of Broome County Council of Churches that administers CHOW.

Although currently distributing a combined 3.1 million pounds of food annually in Broome, CHOW and Food Bank officials said during a news conference Thursday an additional 4.3 million pounds is needed to meet demand in the county.

“We still are nowhere near meeting the need that exists,” said Natasha Thompson, president and CEO of the Food Bank.

The Food Bank distributed more than 1.57 million pounds of food in 2011, reaching 31,984 residents in poverty, according to a news release, adding CHOW provided about 40,000 meals.

Among the benefits of the partnership is that CHOW will see its cost to purchase items from the Food Bank reduced by half, dropping to 9 cents per pound, Sellepack said.

CHOW, which operates a warehouse on Otseningo Street in Binghamton, distributes food through it’s network of more than 30 food pantries, 35 soup kitchens and several community meal programs.

The Food Bank, which serves six area counties including Broome, distributes food through more than 160 member agencies, which range from shelters to partnerships with other nonprofit agencies.

Before becoming the Food Bank’s first re-distribution organization, CHOW purchased food from the Food Bank and other sources such as grocery stores providing discounts, Sellepack said.

“Access to food is certainly a challenge,” Sellepack said, noting the reduced Food Bank price should help.

Thompson said the price dropped because the new partnership requires CHOW to improve its operation. For example, there is better inventory oversight, which eliminates food safety liabilities that drive up costs for organizations.

The partnership also allows CHOW to access resources through Feeding America, the federal network of food banks that provides funding and other aid.

Written by

David Robinson

Binghamton kicks off Restaurant Week Fall 2012

It’s time for restaurants to shine in Binghamton this week as the fall edition of Binghamton Restaurant Week kicks off Tuesday. As our Elyse Mickalonis tells us, many say it’s the right time to try something new and give back to the community.

 

It’s time for restaurants to shine in Binghamton this week as the fall edition of Binghamton Restaurant Week kicks off Tuesday. As our Elyse Mickalonis tells us, many say it’s the right time to try something new and give back to the community.

 
BINGHAMTON -- It’s the official fall week dedicated to flavors, fun and family.

“Lunch is still 10 bucks for a three course meal and dinner will depend on the restaurant,” said Sead Hadziabdic, Crepe Heaven Owner.

Restaurant Week Fall 2012 kicks off on Tuesday with as many as 20 restaurants participating, and many are offering affordable deals during the week.

“We are basically the crème de la crème. If you look at the lists of the restaurants, every single one has a name and reputation,” said Hadziabdic.

The event focuses on introducing students, businesses and the community to the local dining scene, while raising money for a local charity. Even though it’s called Restaurant Week, the event runs longer than seven days, running through September 27. Proceeds will benefit Community Hunger Outreach Warehouse.

“It’s nice to be able to eat and support helping other people eat, by eating,” said Amy Gregory, Green resident.

Hadziabdic added, “You make the old customers happy, because of the price, you meet the new customers and you do something for the community too.”

Many say it’s the right time to dine on something new.

“It’s good to try new food and if you don’t think something looks good, it might taste really good,” said Sierra Gregory, Norwich resident.

Joshua Davis, Endwell resident, added, “Kids can spend time with their mom and dad and they can learn new things and learn to try stuff they didn’t think they would care for.”

People here say restaurant week is not only the perfect time to try something new, but also help the community bounce back from last year’s flooding.

“Anything the community can offer for folks to get out there and see what they have will hopefully be a good boost to the local economy,” said Clay Davis, Endwell Resident.

Hadziabdic added, “Restaurant Week was postponed last year, because of the flood and it came back very strong in the spring, so we can safely say it’s growing.”

It's an event that allows you to put a lot on your plate, without breaking the bank. If you'd like more information on Restaurant Week and the participating restaurants, head to binghamtonrestaurantweek.com.

Weis Markets Launches Month Long Fight Hunger Program

SUNBURY, Pa. -- Weis Markets today announced the launch of its fifth annual Fight Hunger Food Drive, a month-long program offering customers an opportunity to donate to local food banks and emergency food providers.

The program, which begins on Sunday, September 2 and runs through September 30, will run in all Weis Markets' stores.  Weis Markets will supplement its customer donations with a $200,000 corporate donation.

"Food banks and pantries continue to tell us their demand has grown significantly in recent years and that they expect it to continue to grow in the months ahead," said David J. Hepfinger, Weis Markets' President and CEO.  "Our combined goal is to generate one million meals for the twelve food banks and one hundred emergency food providers who are working with our stores."

Customers also have the option of donating $3, $5 and $10 vouchers which can be purchased at any Weis Markets' cash register. One hundred percent of the proceeds will be given to area food banks in the form of gift card donations so they can easily fill in any gaps in their food supplies.

The Fight Hunger Food Drive will benefit: The Second Harvest Food Bank of the Lehigh Valley and Northeast, PA; The Central Pennsylvania Food Bank (Harrisburg); The Central Pennsylvania Food Bank (Williamsport); The Maryland Food Bank; The Commission on Economic Opportunity/The Weinberg Northeast Regional Food Bank (Wilkes-Barre/Scranton); Greater Berks Food Bank (Reading); Philabundance (Montgomery County, PA); Community Hunger Outreach Warehouse (CHOW)/Broome County Council of Churches; Food Bank of the Southern Tier (Elmira);  Philabundance; Northwest Community Action Program NORWESCAP Food Bank (Phillipsburg, NJ); and Mountaineer Food Bank (West Virginia).

These agencies will collect donations at some locations and coordinate local food pantry pick-ups at other Weis Markets' stores.

Customers can donate shelf-stable items including cereal, apple sauce, pasta, granola bars, canned beans, 100% fruit juice, canned fruit, grated cheese, rice, boxed mac and cheese, peanut butter, soups, canned sauces, instant potatoes, canned chicken and fish, canned vegetables and boxed skillet dinners.

More information on the Fight Hunger Food Donation Program and its partner food banks is available on Weis Markets' website at www.weismarkets.com, through Weis Markets Customer Service at (866)999-WEIS and at www.facebook.com/WeisMarkets.

About Weis Markets
Founded in 1912, Weis Markets is marking its 100th year of continuous operation this year.  It currently operates 162 stores in Pennsylvania, Maryland, New Jersey, New York and West Virginia.

Source: Weis Markets

Local food banks to benefit from Weis Markets drive

Hunger visits the homes of hundreds of Southern Tier families and Weis Markets is looking to do something about it.

Through the end of the month, the grocery chain will host its fifth annual Fight Hunger Food Drive at all of its locations. Weis will donate $200,000, and customers can donate food to local food banks, including the Food Bank of the Southern Tier in Elmira and the Community Hunger Outreach Warehouse in Broome County.

In addition to food donations, the stores’ customers will also have the option of donating $3, $5 and $10 vouchers that can be purchased at any Weis Markets cash register.

All of the proceeds will be given to area food banks in the form of gift cards, so they fulfill any gaps in their food supplies, according to Weis.

“Food banks and pantries continue to tell us their demand has grown significantly in recent years and that they expect it to continue to grow in the months ahead,” said David J. Hepfinger, Weis Markets president and chief executive officer.

“Our combined goal is to generate 1 million meals for the 12 food banks and 100 emergency food providers who are working with our stores.”

Items that can be donated include cereal, apple sauce, pasta, granola bars, canned beans, 100 percent fruit juice, canned fruit, grated cheese, rice, boxed macaroni and cheese, peanut butter, soups, canned sauces, instant potatoes, canned chicken and fish, canned vegetables and boxed skillet dinners.

In addition to the Food Bank of the Southern Tier and CHOW, Weis Markets will donate to food banks near its 162 stores in Pennsylvania, Maryland, New Jersey and West Virginia.

Written by

Debbie Swartz

 

Weis Markets launches month long fight hunger program

Weis Markets today announced the launch of its fifth annual Fight Hunger Food Drive, a month-long program offering customers an opportunity to donate to local food banks and emergency food providers.

The program, which begins on Sunday, September 2 and runs through September 30, will run in all Weis Markets' stores. Weis Markets will supplement its customer donations with a $200,000 corporate donation. Customers also have the option of donating $3, $5 and $10 vouchers, which can be purchased at any Weis Markets' cash register. One hundred percent of the proceeds will be given to area food banks in the form of gift card donations so they can easily fill in any gaps in their food supplies.

The Fight Hunger Food Drive will benefit: The Second Harvest Food Bank of the Lehigh Valley and Northeast, Pa.; The Central Pennsylvania Food Bank (Harrisburg); The Central Pennsylvania Food Bank (Williamsport); The Maryland Food Bank; The Commission on Economic Opportunity/The Weinberg Northeast Regional Food Bank (Wilkes-Barre/Scranton); Greater Berks Food Bank (Reading); Philabundance (Montgomery County, Pa.); Community Hunger Outreach Warehouse (CHOW)/Broome County Council of Churches; Food Bank of the Southern Tier (Elmira); Philabundance; Northwest Community Action Program NORWESCAP Food Bank (Phillipsburg, N.J.); and Mountaineer Food Bank (W.Va.).

These agencies will collect donations at some locations and coordinate local food pantry pick-ups at other Weis Markets' stores. Customers can donate shelf-stable items including cereal, apple sauce, pasta, granola bars, canned beans, 100% fruit juice, canned fruit, grated cheese, rice, boxed mac and cheese, peanut butter, soups, canned sauces, instant potatoes, canned chicken and fish, canned vegetables and boxed skillet dinners.

For more information about the Fight Hunger Food Donation Program and its partner food banks, please click HERE or call Weis Markets Customer Service at (866) 999-WEIS.