With the help of an extended deadline, the recently concluded Check Out Hunger campaign raised a record $116,105 for Food Bank of the Southern Tier, according to food bank officials.
The 12th annual campaign, normally held throughout the month of February, serves as the food bank’s largest fundraising event of the year. However, this year the drive was extended through March to compensate for tsunami-relief efforts that had taken place in January.
Shoppers made contributions by having cashiers of participating stores scan campaign coupons at checkouts. The amounts were then added to the customers’ bills. Each coupon was worth $1.47 — the amount required for the food bank to feed a family of four for one day.
Food Bank of the Southern Tier, an agency of Catholic Charities, provides food as well as nutrition education, training and technical assistance to people in Chemung, Schuyler, Tompkins, Tioga, Steuben and Broome counties.
