CHOW Walk Helps Feed The Hungry

Hundreds of walkers turned out today to take part in the 31st Annual CHOW Hunger Walk held at Binghamton University. Walkers made donations, got pledges and brought non-perishable food items for ChOW (Community Hunger Outreach Warehouse).  The Walk started  behind East Gym at the University.  Walkers followed a course through the campus past the Nature Preserve and back to the parking area behind East Gym.

The money and food raised by today's walk will be used to feed needy families and individuals in Broome County.  According to CHOW Director Mike Leahey, the approaching holiday period is an especially difficult time for many families who face financial problems.  With an extended vacation during the holidays many children miss getting the balanced meals available in their school cafeteria .

Walkers of all ages took part with many of them Binghamton University students as well as youth groups from area churches.  Many BU students also served as volunteers for the event. Some helped with crowd safety by staffing areas where walkers crossed roadways around the BU campus.  Others helped with clean-up after the event.

The Beatles Band entertained before and after today's CHOW Walk and Sodexo Food Service provided a meal for all those who walked or helped with today's event.  Totals for money raised and number of walkers will be released later this week.  CHOW had set a goal of raising enough food and donations to supply 250,000 meals.  CHOW provides about 1.2 million meals to the needy each year.