Weis and its customers donate $39K to CHOW

WEST CORNERS -- Peanut butter. Pasta sauce. Box after box made its way into the Community Hunger Outreach Warehouse's truck in front of the West Corners Weis Market.

Weis officials joined Broome County Council of Churches Executive Director Joseph Sellepack in the effort -- and not just with the loading. The Sunbury, Pa.-based supermarket chain gave CHOW a $14,000 corporate donation Monday.

The chain's Southern Tier customers also made $24,828 in donations to Southern Tier hunger organizations during the four-week Fight Hunger campaign. The nearly $39,000 total is expected to generate about 31,200 meals for the needy, said Weis District Manager Mike Umstead.

CHOW, a program of the Council of Churches, also gets price breaks for purchasing food pantry items at Weis, Sellepack said. "They give us wholesale, which adds to the gift," he said.

The donation is particularly appreciated in light of the September flooding, which ravaged the Southern Tier -- including the neighborhood near the West Corners store.

"A lot of fallout from the flood hasn't even been felt yet," such as its effect on the region's economy, Sellepack said.

Weis operates 161 stores in Pennsylvania, New York, Maryland, New Jersey and West Virginia, including 11 in the Southern Tier.

Written by
Jennifer Micale

Soldier in war on hunger devotes self to community service

By Valerie Zehl •vzehl@gannett.com • December 1, 2010, 6:50 pm

Volunteers Mary Ellen Wynnyk and Mary Kelly flank 'Kathy Pfaff' at the Main St. food pantry on Wednesday. The waiting room was full, with standing room only. (VALERIE ZEHL/Staff Photo)

Just call her Kathy Pfaff.

She mimes surprise when somebody actually spells her name right -- and with an 11-letter name that includes three f's, maybe she should be astonished.

Not much else surprises her these days, though. Kathleen Pfaffenbach, of Binghamton, has been on the front lines of the fight against local hunger for decades. Working for Catholic Charities as emergency services coordinator is a position she says is not a job, but a calling.

In the corporate world, she and Ed Blaine would be competitors, jockeying for the opportunity to rack up customer numbers.

But in the world of social service, she and Blaine, who's employed by the Broome County Council of Churches and runs the Community Hunger Outreach Warehouse, attend mass together every morning at St. James Church and work shoulder-to shoulder as fellow soldiers in the same war.

"She doesn't just provide food for her clients, she really cares how they're doing," Blaine said. "She knows them on a first-name basis and checks on them from time to time. It's not just a job for her, it's a real service she does, a real ministry."

Now that she and husband Dan, 59, have launched four children into the adult world (all six of them Seton graduates), their own galaxy pretty much revolves around service.

Not that she's a saint herself, though many might argue. Just ask Dan, who has been married to her almost 40 years.

"When I vacuum, I can line her shoes up on the stairs by pairs, and they just about reach to the second floor," he said.

OK, she's bad about putting away her shoes, she admitted.

"And I'm obsessive," she said. "Things have to be done my way."

Bill Wynnyk, of Binghamton, who has volunteered at her side the last 18 years, nodded his head as he listened nearby.

"She says 'jump,' and I ask how high," he said -- but then made it clear he's joking.

Dan, now retired from his own trucking business, is one of the 100 or so volunteers who pitch in at the food pantry at 100 Main St. in Binghamton or Mother Teresa's Cupboard on Garfield Avenue in Endicott, the only two local pantries run by Catholic Charities and coordinated by his wife.

Her office is tucked in to a pocket of the Main Street site, though she's not often sitting in her chair.

On Tuesday, she manned a table at a community resource fair, talking to all comers about ways Catholic Charities can help them.

Anthony Esposito, a student teacher working on his master's degree at Binghamton University, donated time through Catholic Charities in his hometown in Westchester County.

"We need you here, too," Pfaffenbach told him. "We have many ways you can volunteer."

He walked away with a brochure.

She usually finds herself talking to those who need help rather than those eager to give it."We make sure they're receiving food stamps, the elderly, especially, who are so reluctant," she said. "If there's a referral we can make, we do."

She goes as far as making WIC appointments for those with young children. She's a registered nurse and could work in a doctor's office or hospital. Instead she chooses to pursue this calling.

"The poor will be with you always," she reminds herself on a hard day. Then she reminds herself of another vital fact: She's no miracle worker.

She's just Kathy Pfaff.

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Volunteer Quote

"While volunteering at The Council, I was looking for steady employment.  When I received the good news that I was hired, a staff emember of the Churches graciously gave me a voucher to the Catholic Charities so I would have appropriate work clothing.  I thank the Broome County Council of Churches for the experience that I needed to get a steady position, and I also Thank the Lord."

Henrika Podolak, a former general volunteer for the front office

Volunteer Quote

"Having experienced the Conklin flood of 2006 and been blessed by various food banks in the area at that time, I feel a closer kinship with the people who come to the CHOW pantry."

A CHOW Pantry Volunteer

Volunteer Quote

"I am very new to BC3 as a volunteer and have found staff members on every level to be extrememly warm, friendly, accepting & sharing, thereby helping to make my experience both enjoyable & rewarding."

Shea Szachara, Administrative Volunteer for the Front Office

Volunteer Quote

"I have worked on the last 2 "Ramp It Up" projects with adults & youth from my church.  I enjoyed seeing the residents of the homes watch their new ramps being built."

Ramp It Up Youth Volunteer

Volunteer Quote

"I forgot a pick-up, but caught up with the client at her MD apt. to take her home.  Her attitude - one of forgiveness and grace - made me have a glimpse of true kindness and forgiveness."

A Faith in Action and CHOW Volunteer for the Council

Volunteer Quote

"The work of BCCC (& in particular FIA) is most worth and I'm glad of the opportunity to contribute."

Gail Reeder, Faith in Action Volunteer

Mudcat Grant Golf Tournament

9th Annual Jim Mudcat Grant All-Star Golf Tournament



Last Update: 8/31 2:33 pm

From the Office of the Mayor:

On Wednesday, September 1, at 9:30 a.m., at Security Mutual Life Building located at Court and Exchange Streets, 2nd Floor, Mayor Matthew Ryan along with legendary Black Aces member and two-time Baseball All-Star Jim “Mudcat” Grant—together with top athletes from across the country—will kick off the 9th annual Jim Mudcat Grant All-Star Golf Tournament. Presented by Security Mutual Life Insurance Company of New York and The Black Aces,* the tournament benefits four local organizations: The Broome County Urban League, The Boys and Girls Clubs of Binghamton, Catholic Charities of Broome County, and the Community Hunger Outreach Warehouse (CHOW).

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Volunteer Quote

"My family has greatly benefitted from the interaction we have had with the Faith In Action clients. Strong friendships have been formed that have lasted longer than the initial volunteer experience."

A Faith in Action Volunteer

Volunteer Quote

"The most memorable experience was with an inmate who served out his sentence, read to his kid every week and came to me as he was leaving with tears in his eyes said, "This was the only positive thing that I counted on each week.  Pray for me to never return."

Jail Ministry Literacy Volunteer

Volunteer Quote

"In providing food for those in need, I find the majority of those who receive are careful, unselfish and grateful.  There are those who are 1st time customers who are even apologetic! This is heart rending."

CHOW Pantry Volunteer

Volunteer Quote

"I have found that the inmates at this jail are individuals in a precarious situation. They no longer control their own lives and futures. Many have found a new or deeper trust in God. They are truly human, truly vulnerable, and truly "held in the palms of His hand...""

Jail Ministry Volunteer

Volunteer Quote

When asked "Are your skills currently being utilized?"

"I am doing what I can for those in need and feel that God is happy with my efforts.  He will present more opportunities to me as I am able to do them."

Jail Ministry Volunteer

Volunteer Quote

"Find it has been rewarding. When the person you call tells you how much better they feel after you have talked to them, it makes you feel like you have helped someone."

Yvonne Frey, Faith in Action Volunteer

Volunteer Quote

"In transporting for a medical appointment I recently was invited to this "seniors" garden. It was a well tended and flourishing garden. Flourishing enormously! A impressive garden especially for a couple that has seen their 60th anniversary together! I was provided a quart jar of seeds they had dried. I hope the seeds they loving provided me will have the stories to tell that this couple's seeds have shared."

Dee, A Faith in Action Volunteer

Volunteer Quote

" A wonderful place to help out.  The people there always have a smile of their face."

An Administrative Volunteer for the Front Office of the Council

Volunteer Quote

" A few weeks ago I drove a lady to a doctor; at the end she game me $10.  I told her it was not necessary.  We agreed to donate the money to Faith in Action.  This lady was donating from very limited means."

A Faith in Action Volunteer

Volunteer Quote

"I have met many very nice people over the years of transporting people to Dr. appts, groceries, shopping trips, etc... and am planning to continue as long as I am needed."

Betty Rogers, Faith in Action Volunteers

Volunteer Quote

When asked please give an example of how your skills are being used:

"Am able to relate to inmates in that I am from the "wrong side of tracks", yet put self thu two colleges."

Bill Mahoney, Jail Ministry Volunteer