Binghamton University’s Center for Civic Engagement (CCE) and the Broome County Council of Churches will host their annual Hunger Walk this Sunday to raise awareness for the Community Hunger Outreach Warehouse (CHOW), a philanthropic organization that aims to feed the hungry in the Binghamton area.
Registration will begin at 1 p.m. and the walk at 2 p.m. in the Events Center parking lot. There will also be a DJ, a luncheon provided by Sodexo and an activity tent for children at the walk. The Broome County Council of Churches, which administers CHOW, is the event’s main sponsor of the event, and CCE aims to recruits student volunteers.
CHOW provides food to soup kitchens and church pantries at no cost.
Debbie Thorpe, director of the “Soup and Sandwich Saturday” program at All Saints Episcopal Church, said CHOW is a fundamental supplier for her church.
“CHOW provides us with a substantial amount of food for our Saturday program,” Thorpe said.
Allison Alden, director of the CCE, said she hopes this year’s event will be even more successful than last year’s.
“We had $60,000 raised last year, we hope to top that this year,” Alden said. “The flood victims need food desperately.”
Jasmine Gomez, a junior majoring in political science, said she is planning on participating in the walk because she believes no one should go hungry.
“To me, one of the saddest things ever is to not be able to readily attain a meal, something that those who can take for granted,” Gomez said.
In addition to participating in the walk, students can assist CHOW by filling out donation envelopes in the CCE office in Old University Union room 145, according to Alden. Students can also donate non-perishable food items there.