After 6,450 pounds of flour, 9,000 pounds of potatoes, 180,000 handmade pierogies and 1,500 signatures, the city of Binghamton has been crowned the “Pierogy Pocket Capital of America” for the second year in a row.

The contest, which was hosted by Mrs. T’s Pierogies and culminated with Binghamton’s win yesterday, evaluated areas in the “Pierogy Pocket,” a region where pierogi consumption is higher than anywhere else in the country. This includes cities and towns in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, Illinois and parts of New York.

Originally from Eastern Europe, pierogies are dumplings made with unleavened dough wrapped around a variety of ingredients, such as sauerkraut, cabbage, fruit filling, cheese or potatoes.

The organization that represented Binghamton, St. Michael’s Greek Orthodox Catholic Church, was awarded a grand prize of $10,000 after receiving more than 35 percent of the 36,000 votes across America.

The award was given to the church, but parish members at St. Michael’s, Binghamton residents, Mayor Matt Ryan, Downtown merchants and the Binghamton Mets also contributed to the cause.

All of the award money will be donated to Community Hunger Outreach Warehouse (CHOW), a group that distributes two million pounds of food to local pantries each year.

In addition to the prize money, St. Michael’s and the Binghamton community raised $6,000 to add into CHOW’s budget.

“We’re moving Binghamton forward, and today’s announcement only adds to this positive momentum,” Ryan said. “In today’s difficult economic times, it’s all the more important that we support our community relief agencies, and this award will help a great deal.”

Mike Surabian, a representative of Hunter Public Relations, a public organization dedicated to working with the food and beverage business, said that Binghamton demonstrated exceptional passion in the pierogi industry.

“You have been able to show your passion and pride for pierogies in a way that has surpassed many other communities,” he said during a news conference yesterday.

The pierogi effort initially began with Rev. Stephen Dutko, a pastor at St. Michael’s who supervised the production of thousands of pierogies during the weeks of Lent. His effort in this 40-year tradition has crowned him as Binghamton’s own “Pirohi King.”

This year, however, Binghamton’s culinary community faced stiff competition.

Oprah Winfrey and the Food Network have publicly recognized Pierogi Fest in Whiting, Ind., a competing city, as one of the nation’s best food festivals. Buffalo, N.Y., a semifinalist in the 2007 contest, was also a rival.

“For the second year in a row, Binghamton proved its unmatched passion for pierogies and immeasurable community pride,” Tom Twardzik, president of Mrs. T’s Pierogies, said. “Not only have Binghamton residents continued to demonstrate their love for pierogies, but they have again exemplified generosity and compassion by donating their prize money to a great cause.”

The four finalist cities included Buffalo, N.Y.; Elmira Heights, N.Y.; Forest City, Pa.; and Whiting, Ind. Each won honorable mentions and $1,000 in prize money.

Rev. James Dutko, Stephen Dutko’s son, said he hopes Binghamton wins the contest again next year, for the “last leg of the Triple Crown.”

“So it’s a double crown,” Jim Dutko said. “It’s like the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness, can we go for the Belmont next year? … Let’s go for the Belmont!”