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JEFFERSON COUNTY, N.Y. -- Unfortunately, the giant snowman in the Jefferson County town of Champion didn't survive recent warm temperatures and rain. But while it was standing, it collected more than 500 pounds of food that was donated to local pantries Wednesday.

The bottom button of the nearly 37 foot snowman was a giant tire and the man who built it was asking everyone who stopped to take a picture to consider giving a food item. Vern Scoville said he couldn't believe the final tally. He gave half the food to the Community Action Planning Council in Watertown and the other half to a pantry in Lewis County.

Scoville says he's amazed at the community's generosity.

"My daughter there, we made a thermometer thing there and we started out and she said we'll put it up to 500 pounds. I said, 'Well, whatever.' And wow! People just kept bringing stuff and putting it in the tire," Scoville said.

Scoville said one day, a woman drove all the way down from Montreal to see his snowman and between that and giving back, it makes the effort of building it worthwhile.