Chris Allinger told his 'The Wake Up Q' audience Tuesday that the money that went into his backpack hit an even $30,000.00.  For the third year, Q Country morning host, Chris Allinger strapped on his backpack to walk for the Food Bank of the Southern Tier's BackPack Program™.  From September 8th-12th Chris Allinger walked to every town in Tompkins County raising funds for the program that helps feed children at risk of hunger on weekends and holidays during the school year.

"We were actually a little shy of thirty", Allinger says, "but when I sent the total to our partners, Andy Noel at Cornell stepped up and said he'd throw in the amount it took to bring it even.  I'm thrilled with the total, but I'm more satisfied that people are getting the message that kids are going without food and we need to step up and rectify that."

"We in athletics and physical education at Cornell are thrilled with the outpouring of support that Chris Allinger has generated through 'Walkin' the Country 3"! Our staff agrees with Chris and Natasha Thompson, CEO of the Food Bank of the Southern, that it is difficult to find a more compelling charity than feeding young children who are likely to not have enough to eat during weekends," Noel said. "Heartfelt thanks to Chris and his team at the Cayuga Radio Group."

"The Food Bank is once again thrilled and humbled by the outpouring of support from the community for our BackPack Program™," said Natasha Thompson, President and CEO of the Food Bank of the Southern Tier.  "We are incredibly grateful to Chris Allinger and everyone at Cayuga Radio Group for going above and beyond to ensure that no child in Tompkins County has to go to bed hungry."

Online donations and money donated to collection boxes at various businesses around town will add to the total for the project as they are collected later this week.

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