A $75,000 grant will help to expand the cold-storage capacity at food pantries and community meal sites across the city, says Jared M. Kraham, mayor of Binghamton N.Y.

The city is allocating the funds to Chow, a grassroots food recovery/distribution organization that feeds the food insecure. The grant is expected to help purchase refrigerators, freezers and other storage equipment for about 30 food pantries and meal sites in Binghamton.

“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 Les Aylesworth, Chow's director. “This new partnership with the City of Binghamton will allow agencies to be better equipped so that they can better serve their neighbors.”