An annual Cayuga County festival has raised a significant amount of donations to benefit area food pantries.
TomatoFest organizers told FLX Local Media that they estimate approximately 1,200 people attended the event’s 40th rendition on Saturday, held for the first time at the Fingerlakes Mall in Aurelius, for a day filled with family fun, live music, food and drink vendors, and nonprofit organizations.
While the event offers a full day of entertainment for attendees, TomatoFest President Kim Ostrowski said the goal is to help neighbors in need by collecting donations to be distributed to area food pantries.
“Now more than ever, community members are depending on the help of food pantries to feed not only themselves, but their families as well.”
She said that officials estimate approximately 2,000 nonperishable food items were raised for distribution to pantries, surpassing last year’s total of 1,600 items. Additionally, the festival raised roughly $10,000 to be split among the pantries.
“Our amazing volunteers sorted through all the food donated. We made sure each of the 10 pantries walked away with plenty for their communities.”
Vice President Melissa Panek added that the event would not have been possible without the support of the Cayuga County community and beyond.
”We’re incredibly proud of what our community accomplished at the 40th-anniversary TomatoFest. The support from groups like A.P.E. Scare and Care, United Way of Cayuga County, and Classic Hits 99.3 was a game-changer. Our volunteers and the new indoor space at the Fingerlakes Mall helped us achieve record numbers in vendors, donations, and attendees, proving that with flexibility and teamwork, anything is possible.”
Organizers would like to thank the vendors, nonprofits, entertainers, and everyone who made this year’s rendition of TomatoFest a success.
They added that they’ve already begun planning for next year.
