Mayor Kraham Announces $75K to Expand Cold Storage Capacity at Local Food Pantries

Funds Will Go to CHOW to Purchase Refrigerators, Freezers for Pantries, Meal Sites Across Binghamton

(BINGHAMTON, N.Y.)—Mayor Jared M. Kraham on Thursday joined representatives from CHOW to announce $75,000 to expand the cold storage capacity at food pantries and community meal sites across Binghamton.

"Thousands of residents rely on Binghamton's food pantries and meal sites, run by hardworking volunteers dedicated to helping meet our community's most basic needs," said Mayor Kraham. "This funding will provide refrigerators and freezers to these community sites, allowing them to serve more residents and expanding access to items like milk, meat and other refrigerated goods for vulnerable families and seniors."

The City is allocating the funds to CHOW, which will help purchase refrigerators, freezers and other storage equipment for about 30 food pantries and meal sites in Binghamton.

CHOW recently conducted a survey among its partner agencies to assess their needs and determine what would help improve their programs. Several agencies expressed a need for cold storage, spurring a partnership with the City of Binghamton to fund the purchase of refrigerators and freezers.

"We've known for a long time that in order for a pantry and meal site to be effective, they need proper food storage, especially cold storage," said CHOW Director Les Aylesworth. "This new partnership with the City of Binghamton will allow agencies to be better equipped so that they can better serve their neighbors who are struggling with food insecurity."

The funding comes from the City's federal Covid-19 relief Community Development Block Grant money, allocated through the CARES Act.

City Council will vote on the funding at the May 24 business meeting.