CHOW Orchard Planting

Orchard Taking Root in Conklin

Binghamton's Community Hunger Outreach Warehouse is the big winner of Edy's Fruit Bars and Fruit Trees Planting Foundations contest.


Sunday Conklin received its grand prize and is giving new life to a piece of land and more nutritious options to the diet of a community in need.


Floods destroyed a field along River Blvd. four years ago, but passersby now have to get used to looking at more than empty land.


"The lights went out here, but now the lights are back on, because now we have an orchard, we're gonna be growing vegetables here, and now we can give back to the community and those who are in need," said Town of Conklin Supervisor Debbie Preston.


The new orchard is CHOW's and the Broome County Council of Churches' prize for getting the most votes in a national Internet contest held by Edy's Fruit Bars and the Fruit Tree Planting Foundation.


All of the apples, pears, cherries, and nectarines produced by the trees will go directly to the food pantry, helping to stock its supply and provide those in need with fresh food options.


"The produce that comes from the orchards, it's always stipulated that it be donated to a worthy cause or some community efforts," said Rico Montenegro, arborist for the Fruit Tree Planting Foundation.


Community support for CHOW didn't end with the online votes that made the orchard possible. More than 100 volunteers showed up to brave the rain and help plant the trees. It's that kind of dedication Edy's officials say they were looking for when seeking out communities in need.


"The voting process allows us to determine which communities have the passion to sustain the orchards long term," said Melanie Fitzgerald, a spokesperson for Edy's Fruit Bars.


Conklin officials say they have high hopes for the orchard...saying it can give the community not only fresh foods, but also a new beginning.


"This is the final phase in our healing process," said Preston.


The Conklin orchard is one of 25 being planted across the country as part of the Take Root program.


The trees are expected to produce fruit by next summer.

View Video Here

View Article Here

Swim-Away-Hunger for CHOW

Making A Splash In The Community


Originally printed at http://www.wbng.com/news/local/Making-A-Splash-In-The-Community-101229709.html

Endicott, NY (WBNG Binghamton) - A group of local high schoolers are diving in head first to help feed the community.


The Union-Endicott swim team is hosting its second annual Swim Away Hunger for CHOW.


It was held at the Boys and Girls Club swimming pool.


Hundreds of kids registered to swim in the event.


They lapped the pool from 8 to 4, raising money and food for the Community Hunger Outreach Warehouse.


Last year they were able to collect 2,200 lbs. of food and $1,100.


This year they're hoping to raise even more.


"It's a great feeling to go down-stairs and see all the food people have brought to go to CHOW. It's an amazing feeling to know we're helping that many people," said Emma Zaremba of Endicott.


Swimmers went door to door to collect money for each lap they swam.


They could also donate non-perishable food items.


Money was also raised through a raffle.

CHOW Farm in Endwell

Sherry shared these pictures with us.  She says it is just beautiful up there and is a great experience to pick the corn.  Enjoy :)

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

Wood, nails, and compassion - Originally on Riger Advertising Blog

Wood, nails, and compassion



On Saturday, August 7, Riger made its way out to the back roads of Harpursville to shoot a video for the Broome County Council of Churches’ “Ramp It Up” program. We thought it was gonna be just another day of work, getting footage and interviews and sound bites, but what we witnessed there on that porch left us with so much more.



It was there that we met Don, a wheelchair-bound (and therefore home-bound) elderly man, who was looking for some help getting beyond the colossal barrier between him and his independence: just three little steps.



BC3’s “Ramp It Up” program answered Don’s call for help and sent adult and teenage volunteers from the Conklin Presbyterian Church to the porch that looked like this at 7:00 a.m.:

Don, the Riger crew, and Shadow the dog….…

watched as the CPC volunteers worked tirelessly and under the beating August sun to transform Don’s barrier into a brand new wheelchair ramp.

At 7:00 p.m., Don rolled down his new ramp for the first time and was able to join the CPC gang for a photo to celebrate the ramp that will change his life completely.

12 hours of Riger shooting = 8 video interviews, 120 b-roll shots, and 1 amazing story.





SUBMITTED BY:



Jamie Knudsen, Account Executive

(You can find this at, and other blog entries, at http://rigeradvertising.wordpress.com/ )

Volunteer Quote

Note: Cyndy Vosburgh has been assisting Mary for about 12 years. Cyndy was a 2010 Lives of Commitment Honoree.

Volunteer Quote

"Many times collecting for CHOW people would tell me their story.  They had to rely on CHOW to feel family at times in their lives.  Because of that, they give back.  They are the ones giving us bags of food for CHOW.  Many people never forget the ones that helped them."

Bette Johnson, CHOW Volunteer

Volunteer Quote

"Clients are so grateful for the hour I spend listening to their story and their needs. I try to help educate them to other community resources as well. "

Joan Eisch, Faith in Action Volunteers

Quote From Volunteer

" Most of my experiences are the closeness and friendship that comes from the people I meet volunteering."
Harold Rahner, Faith in Action Volunteer

Quote from Volunteer

"After Mary's* first introduction to the computer, she tearfully looked at me and said that his had opened a whole new world for her.  Today, Mary is a whiz on the computer and it is her main means of communications, shopping, reading news, etc..  Mary uses the mouse and a small bit of on-screen keyboard work.  She uses other's assistance to do typing for her."

-Cyndy  A Vosburgh, Faith in Action Volunteer.  Cyndy does home visits with Mary, an ALS patient, which include computer work (correspondence, appointment planning,etc.)  She also coordinates a daily food program for Mary*.

*The care receiver's name has been changed.

Quote from Volunteer

People that come to our pantry are so thankful to be able to pick and choose food for their families. I go home throw open my full cupboards and say, "Thank you, God!" I'm glad we have CHOW to help people ease one of their worries.

- IdaGene M Taft, CHOW Pantry Coordinator for All Saints Episcopal Church