The Broome County Council of Churches is preparing to relocate its operations, which have been based in Binghamton for decades.
The Rev. Dr. Joseph Sellepack, the organization’s executive director, said plans are being made to move to Conklin in the coming year.
Sellepack told WNBF News the new site will double the capacity of the Community Hunger Outreach Warehouse, which makes food available for people in need of short-term assistance.
The Council of Churches and CHOW have been operating in a facility on Otseningo Street on Binghamton’s South Side for many years. Before that, the council’s operations were located on Main Street in Binghamton.
The Broome County Council of Churches headquarters at 3 Otseningo Street on June 1, 2026. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News).
Sellepack said last year due to space limitations, CHOW was unable to accept nearly 4 million pounds of food that could have been used to help offset some of the needs in the community.
The planned move will double the capacity of CHOW’s freezer and cooler space. There also will be more room available to store shelf-stable food.
Sellepack said the council has a purchase agreement for the former Gearcor corporate offices and warehouse on Powers Road in Conklin.
The former Gearcor warehouse on Powers Road in Conklin on June 1, 2026. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News).
Before the move can be made, a kitchen must be constructed and the freezer and refrigeration units will need to be installed.
Sellepack said the preparations at the new site will take several months to accomplish.