Binghamton University Forum presents first-ever virtual program

About 60 Binghamton University Forum members registered to attend the organization’s first-ever virtual program, A Time of Need: Our Community Response to COVID-19.

The live panel discussion Sept. 22 on Zoom featured speakers:

• LoriAnne Welch ’04, executive director of the United Way of Broome County
• Diane L. Brown ’74, MA ’02, executive director of the Community Foundation for South Central New York
• Joseph Sellepack, executive director of the Broome County Council of Churches

Welch and Brown addressed challenges the nonprofit community has faced since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. They also shared strategies and programs the nonprofit community has developed to assist with ongoing and ever-changing needs, as well as how the COVID-19 Response Fund Alliance has provided financial support to these efforts.

In addition, Brown described the process of responding quickly and thoroughly to the COVID-19 related needs of nonprofits and the people and communities they serve.

Sellepack discussed how the Broome County Council of Churches has shifted its operations to comply with social distancing while helping homebound seniors and donating a record volume of food. He also shared information about the organization’s shoppers program, special home delivery program, volunteer numbers and how the organization assisted school districts with pantry boxes to help families.