Broome County, NY – Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Broome County, CHOW, Broome-Tioga BOCES School Nutrition Services and The Leadership Alliance joined together to issue a final call for donations to the Holiday Giving Box program, an initiative that provides complete holiday meals to local families. Fundraising efforts have been underway for the last month and close on December 15^th with a goal of $16,500 raised for 275 boxes. Thirty of the boxes will be distributed to local veterans using funds from the Broome County Veterans Project. To date the group is 39% to their goal with $6,500 raised.

Each giving box will include a turkey, stuffing, corn, cranberry sauce, and sparkling cider, all provided by CHOW. Dessert will be sourced from a local bakery, and produce including potatoes, carrots, onions, and squash will be purchased from local farmers to be included in the boxes. Project partners and volunteers will assemble at the Broome County Regional Farmers’ Market on December 20^th to assemble the giving boxes, which will then be distributed to families by volunteers from local school districts.

A donation of $60 will provide one entire meal for a family of 4-6, but donations of any amount are accepted and appreciated. Corporate sponsorships are also available this year. Please contact M/A Lupardo’s office at 607-723-9047 for more information on donations.

Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo said, "I am happy to be working with this great group of partners to provide Holiday Giving Boxes to local families. It’s especially rewarding to know they contain locally grown produce from area farmers. I’d like to thank the donors who have already given this year and urge others to help us reach our goal. This really is a wonderful way to assist families who would like to cook a homemade meal during this holiday season.”

Les Aylesworth, Executive Director, CHOW said, “CHOW is so grateful to be partnering with so many great organizations to bring food and hope to our community this Holiday season.The line from the old song that “it’s the most wonderful time of the year” should be for everyone, which is why Assemblywoman Lupardo, Broome CCE, BOCES, the Broome Farmer’s Market, The Agency and CHOW have been working hard to make sure folks who could use a meal this year get one.We hope you can help us bring a little of that “wonderfulness” to our neighbors in need this year!”

Tara Kenyon, Associate Director of Programs, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Broome County said, "The Holiday Giving Box supports both our neighbors in need and our local farmers. We would like to thank our community for their support with this effort to ensure that we can provide nutritious meals that include fresh, local produce."  

Julie Raway, Registered Dietitian, B-T BOCES School Nutrition Services said, “We want to ensure that all students and their families enjoy a delicious holiday meal this season while also supporting local farmers. We encourage all who can to help us reach our goal by donating to the Holiday Giving Box, which supports families right in our local communities.” 

Stacey Duncan, CEO of the Leadership Alliance said, "In the final week of the 2023 Holiday Giving Box, the Leadership Alliance and our partners challenge our business community to help us reach our goal by giving the gift of a holiday meal to a family in need this season. Each year this program helps hundreds of Broome County families, honoring Broome County’s long-standing tradition of commitment to community.” 

Broome County Executive Jason Garnar said, “While we come close to the end of our 2023 Holiday Giving Box Challenge, we encourage donations to support those in need. The Holiday season is all about spreading joy and cheer, join us in doing so for our neighboring families.”