As the final lines of Yes’ “I’ve Seen All Good People” trailed off, Steve “That DJ Guy” Willett jumped to his feet, cleared his throat and grabbed the portable mic.
He quickly scanned the dozen or so plastic bags of food lining the floor of the Winnebago, and rattled off a few clever lines about the day’s Binghamton/ Johnson City “matchup” before offering his signature signoff: “Broadcasting live from the Food-A-Bago, this is Steve for 99.1 The Whale.” (Binghamton won that matchup.)
Such impromptu updates are nothing new for Willett, one-third of the popular classic rock station’s morning show team — he’s been doing radio for more than a decade.
But broadcasting from a “souped”-up (pardon the pun) Winnebago, which he’ll call home until Monday. For this charitable DJ, it’s become an annual routine.
The wacky disc jockey is spending a week broadcasting live from the live-in trailer parked at a Town of Chenango supermarket to raise awareness for CHOW, the local food pantry that supplies over 2.3 million meals to over 24,000 local residents each year.
It’s the eighth straight year that Willett has spent a week in the Food-A-Bago — and he shows no signs of slowing down.
“I find this to be enjoyable,” said Willett on Tuesday afternoon, day two of his annual endeavor. “The tough thing is being away from my wife and kids.”
(He noted that he is not required to stay in the camper 24/7: “I’m living here ... We’re not making it, like, a jail ...”)
Each year is different, with each annual food drive bringing different challenges.
Last year’s drive, in the wake of the area’s devastating flood, brought in a record 6 tons of food. This year, Willett is hoping for an even bigger turnout, with the Food-A-Bago now more visibly residing in the Giant parking lot at 1290 Upper Front St. (In previous years, the vehicle was parked on Rano Boulevard.)
The interior of the Food-a-Bago appears comfortable, except that Willett stands 6-foot-7 — and the ceiling inside stands approximately 6-foot-6.
“Last year, I had a big ceiling. This year ...” He trailed off with a laugh.
This year’s vehicle, provided by Leatherstocking, was still pretty spacious as of Tuesday night, but with all the week’s food being stored inside, Willett doesn’t expect much walking room by this weekend. All varieties of sustenance already lined many of the countertops, nooks and crannies of the interior.
And this year, the radio station has added a couple of new twists, including a friendly competition between neighboring towns that encourages residents to donate on specific days. Tuesday’s match-up pitted Binghamton against Johnson City; and today, Chenango faces off against Fenton.
“I think people like to compete,” Willett said. “It plays off the natural school rivalries between communities.”
Beyond pride, there is no tangible prize for each day’s “winning” community, but the expected increase in donations means that the entire Broome County area will benefit.
As I sat in the Food-a-Bago interviewing the mobile DJ, a woman walked through the driving rain to drop off an armful of non-perishables and personally thank Willett.
“This is a huge boost for all of us,” said the woman, completely undaunted by the downpour, who explained that she runs a smaller pantry in the area that received food from CHOW. “I’m waiting for you, because next week I’m getting a big delivery (from CHOW). So thank you — from all the little guys.
“And I listen to you,” she said with a smile as she walked away.
So, Steve, is this task rewarding?
“Definitely — especially when I run into the people who have experienced first-hand what CHOW does,” the DJ said.
But even shrouded with the local celebrity moniker, Willett admitted that he and his family have struggled through hard times.
“Sometimes they don’t realize that CHOW is an emergency service; it’s not always the same people going back over and over again,” said Willett, who has been working with CHOW for 13 years. “Y’know, sometimes, we’ve had to struggle, too. Luckily, we’ve been able to make it.”
“We get some repeaters,” said CHOW director Ed Blaine. “But mostly, it’s just people who have a bill that comes in.”
Blaine said he’s very appreciative of Willett’s yearly efforts in the Food-a-Bago.
“Steve’s doing a great job for us,” Blaine said. “This gives us kind of an extra push ... it’s a great time of the year for him to be helping us.”
The week follows the annual CHOW Hunger Walk, which took place Sunday at Binghamton University with approximately 800 walkers. Participants solicited sponsorships, raising more than $50,000.
Willett, who runs a private DJ business separate from his gig at the Whale, is volunteering his time — and it’s not always easy.
The grind of doing the morning show — which begins at 5 a.m. — and staying up for hourly updates through 9 p.m. can get taxing throughout the week, Willett said.
But, with the radio in the vehicle playing The Whale all day long, has he ever missed an hourly cue? He blushed.
“I fell asleep (once),” he admitted. “I woke up and I was like, ‘Holy cow, I missed a report.’ I try not to lie down; if I lie down, I will fall asleep.”
Somehow, I bet, the warehouses will find a way to forgive him.
Strub is a senior at Binghamton University and a part-time copy editor at the Press & Sun-Bulletin. His column appears Thursdays.
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