From Natasha R. Thompson,
President & CEO of the Food Bank of the Southern Tier
For nearly 40 years, the Food Bank of the Southern Tier has worked to build and sustain hunger-free communities by providing nourishment and hope to those in need. Our important work would not be possible without your generous support. Your gifts have allowed the Food Bank to be flexible and agile in our response to community needs. This was especially important over the past year when we had to pivot every aspect of our operations to meet an unprecedented level of demand due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
This past year was unlike any other. We saw the fragility of our food system in our community and nationwide. We learned that many families are only one or two paychecks away from experiencing hunger as evidenced by the 40% of client households who were newly experiencing food insecurity.
Read the full edition of the 2021 Harvester and Impact Report today!
The Food Bank was established to support the most vulnerable members of our community by ensuring access to food for all. In our first year, we helped families in need by distributing food out of a borrowed box truck and a small warehouse located on Grand Central Avenue in Elmira. Over time, we have evolved to provide education and advocacy in addition to comprehensive food distribution programs, all while developing our network of partner agencies to further our reach.
With your support, we will continue to navigate through this pandemic while incorporating what we have learned over the last nine months into our work moving forward. We will also remain committed to addressing the root causes of hunger and ensuring equitable access to healthy foods for all.
Thank you for your commitment to our mission to build and sustain hunger-free communities. Together, we are making a difference in the lives of our friends and neighbors in need.
In Partnership,
Natasha R. Thompson