Binghamton, N.Y. Wins Title of Capital of the Pierogy Pocket
Awarded $10,000 for Local Charity
More Than 62,000 Votes Cast for Five Finalist Cities
SHENANDOAH, PA - The second annual search for the city with the most passion for pierogies – the perfect pairing of pasta and potatoes – ended today in the Southern Tier of New York State. The city of Binghamton, N.Y. was crowned the Capital of the Pierogy Pocket by Mrs. T's® Pierogies.
In addition to bestowing the title of Capital of the Pierogy Pocket upon Binghamton, Mrs. T's Pierogies awarded $10,000 to St. Michael's Greek Catholic Church, the organization that entered the competition on behalf of the city, to be used for a local community endeavor. St. Michael's will be donating the entirety of this money to CHOW – the Community Hunger Outreach Warehouse – which annually distributes 2 million pounds of food to district pantries.
The Pierogy Pocket is an area of the country in the Northeast and parts of the Midwest where pierogy consumption is higher than anywhere else in the nation. It spans cities and towns throughout Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, Illinois, and includes parts of New York, southern New England and the Mid-Atlantic region.
Binghamton showed its pierogy pride by submitting materials that demonstrated the importance of pierogies to the community. Over 1,000 residents signed a petition in support of Binghamton's quest to become Capital of the Pierogy Pocket and Mayor Matt Ryan issued a proclamation declaring Father Stephen Dutko, who has led the city in the making of thousands of pierogies during the weeks of Lent for more than forty years, the city's official “Pirohi King.”
“I am proud that the City of Binghamton has been named Capital of the Pierogy Pocket of America,” said Mayor Matt Ryan. “This title is a testament to St. Michael's civic spirit and highlights 43 years of the Pirohi Project here in Binghamton. All those who helped in this campaign should be proud of the $10,000 prize that will benefit CHOW, the Community Hunger Outreach Warehouse.”
Senator Hillary Clinton, who supported all of the vying cities in New York State, said she was “happy to hear that St. Michael's Church has persevered in its pursuit of pierogy perfection to help bring the Capital of the Pierogy Pocket title to Binghamton.” She added that, “while the pierogies made at St. Michael's helped secure the title, they will also help bring much needed assistance to the homes of hardworking people in need.”
“Binghamton's passion for pierogies and for its community earned the city the title of Capital of the Pierogy Pocket,” said Tom Twardzik, president of Mrs. T's Pierogies. “The residents of Binghamton, and particularly the people of St. Michael's Church, came together to win this honor and are generously donating their winnings to a cherished regional charity.”
This year marks Mrs. T's Pierogies second annual search for the Capital of the Pierogy Pocket. Cities, towns and non-profit organizations throughout the region were invited to compete for the title by providing a demonstration of their citizens' “pierogy pride.” Buffalo, N.Y.; Clifton, N.J.; Lancaster, N.Y.; and Whiting, Ind. were named honorable mentions in the contest and awarded $1,000 each to be used for a local community endeavor of their choice.
The five finalist cities that competed for the title of Capital of the Pierogy Pocket were judged on the materials they submitted to demonstrate their “pierogy pride,” as well as the number of online votes received. This year, voters across the country cast over 62,000 votes for the finalists during a three-week online voting period.
For more information and to view Binghamton's winning entry, visit www.pierogypocket.com.
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Published Date: 11-08-2007
