Community Responds to Check Out Hunger Program
The Check Out Hunger campaign announced some good news this week, in spite of the pandemic, the campaign drive raised enough funds to provide 747,360 meals to people in our community.
The Food Bank of the Southern Tier partners with many agencies across six counties, which includes Broome and Tioga, and covers close to 4,000 square miles.
The Food bank works with many grocery outlets and sets up various collection sites throughout the community to collect food and primarily monetary donations to purchase food.
This is the 27th year of the Check Out Hunger program which partners with area grocers including Wegmans and Tops Friendly markets, is the largest campaign of community donations.
Shoppers can donate $2, $3, $5 or any amount at the check out while shopping for their own families.
The campaign starts towards the end of January and runs through the middle of March.
According to a news release Food Bank president and CEO Natasha Thompson said “We are thankful for our amazing grocery partners, the cashiers and their generous customers,”
Last year during the most difficult throughout our nation, the Food Bank was able to distribute over 17.6 million pounds of food and grocery items.
The Food bank distribute to shelters, food pantries, after school programs, seniors and other meal programs.
The Food Bank also partners with CHOW and other food collection pantries throughout the community.
If you would like more information on the Food Bank of the Southern Tier and how to make a donation CLICK HERE
All donations stay within the community, one in nine people are considered food insecure and may be struggling to access affordable healthy food.