NORWICH – Thanks to the support of local community members, organizations and area schools over a ton of food was collected and distributed to a Chenango County food pantry this month.

Following the first Chobani Shepherd’s Gift Foundation Giving to Goodwill food drive held last Saturday at the Norwich Jewish Center, a grand total of 2,579 pounds of food was collected. The donations, collected in part by students from Perry Browne and Gibson schools over the past three weeks and private donations, were distributed to Roots and Wings of Norwich.

“We are very grateful for these much needed donations,” said Kathy Darrah of Roots and Wings.

Prior to the public food drive, students from the Norwich School District had together, donated roughly 1,800 pounds of food. Their efforts began Oct. 20 and ended November with the winning classrooms winning a pizza and yogurt party. The winners of the event were Mrs. Runyon’s class from Gibson school with a total of 126 items and a tie at Perry Browne between Mrs. Flannagan and Mrs. Armstrong’s rooms collecting 188 items.