Upstate New York Woman to be Honored By The President Today

10.20.11 | Sarah Harnisch

   A Yates County woman will be honored by the President this afternoon. 94-year-old Milly Bloomquist of Penn Yann has fed thousands of people with her food pantry for more then 50 years. She's one of 13 people today getting the Presidential Citizenship Award. Bloomquist, 94, is the driving force behind Food for the Needy, Christmas for the Needy, Milly’s Pantry and the Backpack Program, all community-supported programs that feed, clothe and provide gifts and basic school supplies for needy children and families in Yates County. It’s an all-volunteer effort that started about 50 years ago in her home, and has now grown beyond the Baptist Church, the Army Reserves Armory and a downtown storefront. Past recipients of this award have included Muhammed Ali, Elizabeth Taylor, and Colin Powell.