CHOW Program Marks 50 Years Fighting Food Insecurity

The Broome County Council of Churches CHOW program is a vital program in our community. So many families have relied on this service to get through a tough time.

Every year, we partner with CHOW for the annual Food-A-Bago Food Drive, and this year, we'll be back at it again. More details coming soon, but right now, there is another important CHOW event that is happening this weekend.

CHOW Fest 2026 will be held this Saturday, October 3rd, at the Oakdale Commons from 1 to 3 p.m. CHOW is celebrating 50 years, and everyone is invited to the fest.

Organizers note that CHOW Fest is one of their biggest fundraisers. Funds raised during the event greatly help the continued work of CHOW throughout the year.

Why should you help? Well, CHOW helps the community in so many ways, and hunger is a big issue in Broome County. The cost of food and other expenses are rising, and that can put quite a strain on those who are struggling to feed their families.

A bit of information from CHOW:

Over 3.1 million meals were distributed last year in our community.
Over 3.1 million pounds of food that would have gone to a landfill were recovered from grocery stores and restaurants and distributed to local pantries and meal sites.

CHOW serves over 120 pantries, meal sites, and residential homes. That's why your donation is greatly appreciated. For more information and to donate, visit the CHOW website, and we'll see you Saturday at the Oakdale Commons (formerly the Oakdale Mall), off Reynolds Road in Johnson City, for the 2026 CHOW Fest!