Last year, Commerce Chenango held a Thanksgiving Luncheon and fundraiser to thank Commerce members for their support and give back to the Chenango County community. This year, Commerce Chenango will host a Thanksgiving Luncheon, courtesy of Dickey’s Barbecue, on November 20, at the Norwich Family YMCA, located at 68 North Broad Street in Norwich. (Photo by Sarah Center)

NORWICH — Commerce Chenango will host a Thanksgiving Luncheon for Chamber members, courtesy of Dickey’s Barbecue, on November 20, at the Norwich Family YMCA, located at 68 North Broad Street in Norwich.

Although registration is now closed, scores of chamber members and businesses signed up for the event and will enjoy festivities while donating to area food banks that will be at the event.

“Commerce Chenango is providing a free lunch and some light entertainment for our Chamber members,” said Commerce Chenango President and CEO Salvatore Testani. “We invited all of the local food banks to set up a table and talk about their mission.”

“The event is intended to gather our local businesses and give thanks for the gifts we have in our community,” said Testani.

He said it’s a great event that helps people who aren’t as fortunate as others and the food banks could use additional contributions.

“The food banks need our support more than ever and this is a way for us to give a little back to a place we all care about,” Testani added.

On the Commerce Chenango website, Testani said they are incredibly lucky to have such amazing food banks and soup kitchens who feed those in need and coming together to gather donations in the spirit of Thanksgiving is one way to thank and celebrate those organizations.

Food Pantry’s at the event will be: Earlville Food Cupboard, Berean Bible Church- Greene, Our Daily Bread Methodist Church- Guilford, McDonough Food Pantry, New Berlin/Unadilla Food Pantry, Catholic Charities Roots and Wings,Our Daily Bread Food Closet-Norwich, St. Malachy Food Pantry-Sherburne, SouthTown Food Panty-South New Berlin,Bainbridge Council of Churches, Unadilla Food Pantry.

Free Will Donations are appreciated, and will be given to Chenango County Food Pantries during the event. Representatives from these pantries will be on site for collections.

Sponsored by Sidney Federal Credit Union, The Evening Sun, and Mirabito

For more Commerce Chenango information, visit their website at www.commercechenango.com.