Binghamton Business Owner Creates Non-Profit Organization

There's no denying the fact that it's so much easier to sit back and complain about the things we don't like happening in and around our community, but it takes guts to stand up and do something about those things. This is something that Andy Kipp, owner of the Old Union Hotel believes in. Kipp isn't one to stand back and watch the world around him crumble. He's an action taker and pours all of his heart into helping our community as much as he can and now, Kipp will be able to reach even more people and make an even bigger impact on our community with his recently launched local non-profit organization which will benefit neighbors in the Southern Tier when, where, and how they need it the most.

The goal of Kipp's brand new First Ward Charities is to give back to our community and Kipp has a slew of things that he’d like to see a change in the Binghamton area. He tells WBNG that some of his goals include feeding those who are hungry and clothing those who need to be clothed.

Kipp says that unlike most charities, his will have virtually no overhead and that all of the donations received by First Ward Charities will not only be tax deductible, but they will go directly to the befitting fundraiser, charity, or person.

Kipp is no stranger to lending a helping hand. As a matter of fact, he has been a strong supporter of Townsquare Media’s annual Food-A-Bago Food Drive to benefit Broome County CHOW. All of the food raised during the week-long food drive stays right in Broome County to feed those who are dealing with the very real problem of food insecurity.

In an effort to make sure our neighbors don’t have to go without the nourishment they need, Kipp, with the help of Townsquare Media, created the Food-A-Bago Shopping Cart Challenge in which businesses, organizations, and individuals fill a shopping cart with food and then publically challenge another business, organization, or individuals to match or exceed their donation.

Thanks, in a large part to the efforts of Kipp, the 2018 Food-A-Bago Food Drive shattered all previous collections records, bringing in 13 tons of nonperishable food items and $6,000 in monetary donations.

Our community is a better place because of people like Andy Kipp and it's only going to continue to get better.

[via WBNG]