When COVID-19 hit New York State and closures began to take place, the Food Bank of the Southern Tier was no longer able to safely host traditional Mobile Food Pantries (MFPs), where up to 150 households are served by standing in line to receive grocery items. In...
Mask in place, Jim Luoma makes his way into the Enfield Food Pantry to a chorus of volunteers’ cheery greetings. His blue eyes crinkle and you can imagine the smile under his mask. “I don’t need a lot of dry goods. I have a lot already. Save that for someone who needs...
From Natasha R. Thompson,President & CEO of the Food Bank of the Southern Tier Despite all the uncertainty and change that we’ve had to endure over the past several months due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we have witnessed countless examples of resilience,...
Darlene and David Bachman were just about ready to retire from food pantry volunteer service to spend time with grandchildren, camp, and pursue retirement jobs. And then, the world changed. The COVID-19 pandemic hit New York state and put the Bachman’s plans on hold....
Watkins Glen International has hosted a wide array of cars in its 37-year speedway history: stock cars, Busch trucks, Indy, Grand Prix, Formula One… In May, WGI welcomed a whole new type of vehicle: Food Bank delivery trucks. The world-famous road racing facility...
The sisters of Alpha Kappa Alpha have been working to help meet their neighbors’ basic needs since the sorority was founded at Howard University in 1908. When COVID-19 shutdowns began to take place across New York in March, members of the Finger Lakes chapter knew...
It all happened so quickly. As the COVID-19 virus turned into a global pandemic and hit close to home, the Food Bank had to act fast, restructuring all operations to keep staff, volunteers, and clients safe while responding to a growing need for food. New York State...
Hunger relief happens when people come together in support of a shared mission. When schools and businesses began to close, officials at Cornell University contacted the Food Bank and partnered with the Greater Ithaca Activities Center to distribute food for up to 400...
In April, Kimberly Andreine, of Southport, did something she never thought she would have to do. She needed help with food. So, she went to a Community Food Distribution at the Chemung County Fairgrounds. “This was the very first time I have ever used Food Bank...
Mark and Lisa Haley, of Corning, know food insecurity. “My mom was a single parent with two kids to feed. It was tough. I grew up familiar with programs like WIC and reduced-price school lunch,” Lisa says. Mark’s parents were disabled, and the family relied on...