Food-A-Bago Food Drive Is Back – See Your Photos Here

UPDATE:
Several area businesses have issued challenges to bring in specific amounts of food to the camper before the drive ends at around 8 am Monday, November 7. The camper is staffed from 6 am to 6 pm through Friday and on Saturday and Sunday from 8 am to 6 pm but collection barrels are located outside the camper 24 hours a day. 

One tale from the Food-A-Bago food drive had Broome County Executive Jason Garnar and Executive Assistant Chris Whalen coming to the rescue, preventing part of a large food donation from being ruined. 

As the rain began to fall about 11 am Tuesday, with the boxes of pasta, baking mix, and cereal among the donations on the tailgate of the CHOW truck, the pair arrived with their own donation of groceries just in time and were put to work climbing into the back of the truck and making short work of getting anything in boxes that might be ruined by the rain safely under cover and in the bins in the truck. 

In addition to donations of food, CHOW is accepting some non-food items like personal hygiene products including toothpaste, soap, and diapers. Also, monetary donations are appreciated. 

Get our free mobile app

ORIGINAL ARTICLE:
Just over 20 years ago, one of our radio personalities asked if we could do a food drive to help families in Broome County through Broome County CHOW (Community Hunger Outreach Warehouse.)

His idea was to spend a week in a camper and have people stop by with non-perishable food donations, which we would place in the camper, and continue to do so until the camper was overflowing. At first, we were not sure how it would work but decided to give it a try.

And over 20 years later, we're glad we took a chance because the support has been so amazing. Granted, we don't have one of our radio personalities spending an entire week in a camper (we all take turns), but the premise is the same, looking for non-perishable food and monetary donations for Broome County CHOW to help families in need in Broome County.

And every year, you come through. Even during tough times like the pandemic, I have been in awe of the number of people dropping by our camper with whatever they can spare...even if it's just one dollar or one item of food. Every bit counts. And for every dollar donated to Broome County CHOW, they can put together five meals. That's amazing.

So, will we see you this week? Find us in a camper in the parking lot of the Weis Food Market at 1290 Upper Front Street, Binghamton, which is where we've been for many years. Most days there will be someone there to greet you between 6 am and 6 pm, and we'll be there this Saturday and Sunday (November 5th & 6th) from 8 am to 6 pm as well.

If we step out for a moment from the camper or it's after hours, we have CHOW barrels set up for you to drop off non-perishable food. And if it's more convenient for you, we have CHOW barrels set up at Gary's U Pull It on Colesville Road, Binghamton, and at 21st Century Pools & Spas on the Vestal Parkway, Vestal.

If you can't make it to our physical Food-a-Bago Food Drive, you can make an online donation through this secure PayPal link.

Keep checking back for pictures from the 2022 Food-A-Bago below, and hopefully, we can add yours to the gallery. Check out more about Food-A-Bago and pictures from 2021 here. And thanks for helping families in need this year.