Speaking on the February 18 edition of the weekly, local public affairs program, Southern Tier Close Up, Food Bank of the Southern Tier director Natasha Thompson says hunger knows no season.

While many people step forward to volunteer or donate during the holiday season, families are still continuing to face food challenges, many struggling to decide between paying utility bills and buying food.

Thompson says food banks began with the recovery of perishable foods, transitioned to non-perishable donations and is now bringing back more and more supplies of fresh food for clients and soup kitchens.

The Food Bank of the Southern Tier is partnered with the Community Hunger Outreach Warehouse (CHOW) in Broome County and is able to source food from all around the country to bring into the area instead of relying only on local donations. The Food Bank just pays shipping.

The organization gets financial and other assistance from a wide range of sources, including a surprise donation of proceeds from a new cookbook by Binghamton ge resident, Tracy Maines, called "My Cottage Kitchen."

Information about the work of the Food Bank of the Southern Tier can be found at their website: www.foodbankst.org.

Southern Tier Close Up can be heard Sunday at 6 am on 99,1 The Whale.

 

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