Sheriff launches 'warrant' program to collect food for TomatoFest – Finger Lakes Daily News

The Cayuga County Sheriff's Office has launched a new method to combat food insecurity in the county.

Speaking to Finger Lakes News Radio, Sheriff Brian Schenck said his office is once again working with APE Scare and Care Inc. to collect food donations for TomatoFest that will then be distributed to county food pantries.

New this year, he is launching a “mandate” allowing people to nominate others to donate food.

“We will be handing out flyers that are essentially presented as an arrest warrant and anyone in our community can nominate someone to be the subject of this warrant with a predetermined fine of five cans of non-perishable food to be delivered to either our sheriff’s office or APE Scare and Care at Fingerlakes Mall,” Schenck said.

Although the “mandates” are completely voluntary, Schenck hopes this fun initiative will lead to more donations for TomatoFest.

“These food donations and monetary donations made by TomoatoFest volunteers after the event go to a number of food pantries throughout the county,” Schenck continued. “Since I work at the Sheriff’s Office and have county-wide jurisdiction, I am very happy to help support this initiative that helps all food pantries in the county.”

Last year, the Sheriff's Office and the PTA held a friendly competition to see which group could raise the most cans for Tomatofest, with a combined total of 1,600 cans donated. TomatoFest officials declared a tie, setting up a rematch for 2024.

The “mandate” program will now take place via TomatoFest on September 7.

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