275 Broome families need help putting their holiday meal on the table: What you can do

Holiday lights, family and a full table of delicious food. While this image may seem familiar to many, there are families who do not have the luxury of affording a full holiday meal during the winter months.

Community Hunger Outreach Warehouse (CHOW) is teaming up with local groups to make that scene a reality for local families.

CHOW, which is run by the Broome County Council of Churches, procures and provides supplies for local food pantries free of charge, and depends on donations or reclaimed food to fill their stock.

CHOW organizes drives such as Food-A-Bago multiple times a year, but the Holiday Giving Box initiative is special due to the time of year it comes in, and the fact that it offers families who otherwise would not have a holiday dinner a chance to celebrate.

More: CHOW distribution drastically increased in 2023: Binghamton donors help fill the gap

How did the Holiday Giving Box program start?

According to CHOW director Les Aylesworth, when CHOW started the Holiday Giving Box program in 2019, they set a goal of 50 to 60 boxes. That year, the organization wound up with 85. Each year since, CHOW has been raising the goal. This year, the goal is 275 boxes.

Currently, donators have pledged just under $10,000, meaning the initiative is at 60% of its goal ahead of the Dec. 15 deadline. Each box costs $60, and donors can donate online through the Holiday Giving Box 2023 page on justgiving.com.

Broome County Executive Jason Garnar said this year's goal was intentionally lofty, and the initiative is crucial for the area.

"We're trying to do better and better and provide more each year," said Garnar. "We're talking about families and children here in Broome County. It is really important that they get access to fresh food, and this is a great way to do that."

Where is the food coming from?

Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo praised the initiative for its local roots, and said it was attracting attention from other parts of the state.

"I have heard from colleagues around the state asking about this program because it is unique in many ways," said Lupardo. "It allows a family to cook their own meal. Because we're featuring our local farmers and using a local bakery, it gives it that local feel which is very important."

Tara Kenyon, associate director of programs for Cornell Cooperative Extension, said the initiative is helpful not just for local families in need, but also helps support local businesses and farmers.

"This serves two very important functions," Kenyon said. "One, of course, is to support our families and our communities, but also support our famers. We're buying potatoes, onions, carrots and squash and of course working with a local baker to provide dessert, to just add a little something special to the boxes."

Stacey Pryor, owner of Sinfully Sweet in Homer, said the bakery has been participating in the Kirkwood farmers market since May, and is happy to participate in an important initiative for the local community.

"We feel really good about this," said Pryor. "I built this from scratch with my employees, so to be able to expand out into Broome County and to be as welcomed as we have been is a blessing."

What's next?

According to Julie Raway, registered dietitian for Broome-Tioga BOCES, the organization has worked with local schools to identify families that may be in need, and will provide them with Holiday Giving Boxes this year.

"We do not want any student to go home over break and not have a holiday meal," Raway said. "We are very happy to support this project."

Amy Williamson, marketing and communications manager for the Leadership Alliance, announced a $2,500 donation in support of the initiative.

"The Leadership Alliance is always so proud to participate in this event each year. It is such an important event," said Williamson. "Food insecurity really is a huge barrier in our community for economic mobility and there is an extra squeeze during the holiday time."

Aylesworth said while the goal may seem daunting, he has full faith in the community and believes it will truly make a difference in many families' lives this holiday season.

"When I think of the holidays, I think of the bright lights, the decorations and the gift giving," said Aylesworth. "For some of the folks in our community, the holidays do not seem as bright. It can juxtapose between the brightness of the holiday season and their own experience. We are hoping that we can bring a little bit of light through the simple act of offering them a meal."

How to help

Donate online through the Holiday Giving Box 2023 page on justgiving.com.

This article originally appeared on Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin: Broome families in need will receive holiday meals, but help is needed