Each semester, Binghamton University Dining Services (BUDS) partners with Broome County CHOW (Community Hunger Outreach Warehouse) and our on-campus Food Pantry to provide a variety of food items to Binghamton students and Broome County residents facing food insecurity through a week-long food drive called Stop Hunger. This semester, Stop Hunger ran from Monday, October 24 until Sunday, October 30 and resulted in the donation of 16,400 meals.

 

Proceeds from the drive are evenly distributed between the Food Pantry and CHOW. The Food Pantry, located in the College-in-the-Woods Dining Hall, is a resource that is available to students facing hard times and is equipped to provide a variety of food and personal care items to those in need of short-term assistance. CHOW is a network of food pantries run by the Broome County Council of Churches, with the goal of making emergency food available to Broome County residents in need of short-term relief. CHOW is a partner to over 100 local pantries and meal sites and recovers 2.1 million pounds of food annually.

 

This contribution, however, would not have been possible without the Binghamton students, faculty, and staff who came together to support the cause by donating to the food drive. When asked why she decided to donate, Binghamton University senior Samantha Flatt stated, “It wasn’t even a question to me - it was just a given.” She added, “They [BUDS] made it so easy to do; I was already buying my own lunch, so adding another dollar or two to the purchase didn’t make much of a difference to me. But to someone struggling, that dollar could be the difference between whether or not they go to bed hungry.”

 

Peter Proscia, a junior living off-campus, shared a similar sentiment upon making a donation in the MarketPlace saying, “I ordered my meal and the cashier asked me if I wanted to donate to Stop Hunger and I said ‘of course!’ I like to donate whenever I eat on campus and make sure to do so during the food drive every semester.”

 

Retail Manager Chris Harasta noted, “Thousands of people donated, and their generosity means that our community [food] pantries will stay stocked this Fall. We’re in the business of feeding people and I’m proud that this extends to feeding those struggling with food insecurity. To everyone who donated, you have my heartfelt thanks. You made a difference.”

 

If you want to support Binghamton University students facing food insecurity, the Food Pantry is always accepting donations. Learn more about what you can do to help on the Food Pantry’s website.