Holiday Giving Boxes to Support Local Families
Lupardo, CCE, The Agency, CHOW, & B-T BOCES Team Up
(Broome County, NY) – For a third year, Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Broome County, CHOW, and Broome-Tioga BOCES are teaming up to provide holiday meals for local families this holiday season. This year, they are also welcoming The Agency as a partner. The group will raise funds from November 1st until the 10th of December with a goal of $11,250 raised for 225 boxes. An additional 30 boxes will be distributed to local veterans using funds from the Broome County Veterans Project.
Starting today, the Holiday Giving Box donation web page is live; people can visit https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/HolidayGivingBox2022 to donate. A donation of $50 will provide one entire meal for a family of 4-6, but donations of any amount are accepted and appreciated. The boxes will include a turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, sparkling cider, and a dessert, all provided by CHOW. Local produce including potatoes, carrots, onions, corn and squash will be purchased from local farmers and will also be included in the meals. Boxes will be distributed during Christmas week.
Information on the Holiday Giving Boxes will be available at the Broome County Regional Farmers Market during market hours. Monetary donations will also be accepted at the Market.
Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo said, “I am happy to once again partner with these wonderful community organizations, to provide Holiday Giving Boxes to local families. With inflation on the rise, we’ve seen a marked increase in community need. I am proud to be a part of an initiative that supports both our farmers and our local families, and I hope these meals will put a smile on the faces of those who receive one.”
Les Aylesworth, Director of CHOW said, “Things have been tough this year and the holidays sometimes seem to make it feel tougher. That’s why CHOW is excited to be partnering again with Assemblywoman Lupardo, Broome CCE, B-T BOCES, The Agency and the Farmer’s Market to bring a Holiday Giving Box to those who need it. Each box contains not only a traditional holiday meal for a family, but a little bit of hope. So won’t you join us in bringing a bit of hope to our community through a Holiday Giving Box this year.”
Stacey Duncan, CEO of the Leadership Alliance, said “The Leadership Alliance is proud to partner with Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo, CHOW, Cornell Cooperative Extension, and Broome-Tioga BOCES on the Holiday Giving Box program. Our community is built on a long history of generosity and support, and to be able to provide holiday meals for Broome County families in need honors our roots and our organizations’ values.”
Tara Kenyon, Associate Director of Programs, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Broome County said, “The holiday giving box is a unique opportunity to support our local farmers by including their fresh produce in a nutritious meal for our neighbors in need this holiday season.”
Annie Hudock, Senior Food Service Director at Broome-Tioga BOCES said, “Hunger is something no one should struggle with especially during the holiday season. The Giving Box can help families in need right in our own backyard. We surpassed our goal last year and my hope is that we can do it again for our area families.”.
Broome County Executive Jason Garnar said, “The County is happy to provide additional funds to support 30 local veteran families to receive a Holiday Giving Box. This time of year is difficult for many in our community, and we will continue to look for opportunities to support local veterans and their families.”
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