Late in 2023, when leaders from Centers Health Care, a network of skilled nursing, rehabilitation and senior care services, were deciding what organizations across New York state to support with donations, their choice in the Elmira-Corning region was the Food Bank of the Southern Tier.
And with good reason.
The food bank, headquartered in Elmira Heights, buys food and collects donated food items, distributing them to food pantries and soup kitchens across a six-county region.
Food bank officials say the public demand for those resources has skyrocketed in recent times.
In fact, there were more requests for food filled in the first quarter of 2024 than any first quarter in the organization’s more than 40-year history, according to food bank President and CEO Mark Bordeau.
The food bank distributed a record 16.4 million pounds of food last year, and that record is already being challenged.
“Right now, in the first quarter, January through March, we were up 19% compared to the first quarter of 2023,” Bordeau said. “At the current pace, we will (distribute) 1.4 million pounds of food more than last year.”
What’s driving increase in Southern Tier hunger issues?
Amanda Stark, of Horseheads, is a regular client of the food pantry at the First Presbyterian Church of Horseheads.
Even with a job, it’s often challenging to put food on the table these days, especially with children, Stark said.
“It’s hard. I come here once a month,” she said. “I’ve been coming for a while. I would be struggling without it. I don’t know what I would do.”
The food pantry is seeing more and more people like Stark show up, and it’s a challenge keeping the shelves fully stocked, said Co-Director Kathy McNulty.
“We are absolutely seeing a spike in how many families we get every week,” McNulty said. “Families tell us how tough it is to meet their bills, especially if they have children.
“People want us to know they are so grateful we are here,” she said. “They don’t know how to fill that gap otherwise.”
Inflation and rising prices of food, gasoline and just about everything else are most likely driving the increase in demand for food, McNulty said, and Bordeau agrees.
“It’s a combination of factors — inflation, food costs, housing costs, owning a car now, interest rates,” he said. “Insurance costs are up. Salaries are not keeping up with the cost of living.
“We are here to support the community,” Bordeau said. “The goal is to help folks short-term, give them a leg up. They have to make choices.”
Community support of food bank is critical
Just as the food bank is here to support the community, it relies on community support in return — both financial and through volunteer time — to carry out its mission.
The Food Bank of the Southern Tier has an annual budget of about $24 million, and contributions from individuals and corporate partners cover about 50% of operating costs.
Add to that about 14,000 hours a year of free service donated by volunteers.
“We are so blessed with the community we live in. Time and time again they’ve supported us,” Bordeau said. “Our volunteers come in and give us precious time or financial resources. We’re blessed to have many corporate partners that help us every year.”
Centers Health Care, which has facilities in Corning and Bath, is among the corporate donors this year.
The organization donated $2,700 apiece to several causes across the state to signify its 27 years in business.
The Food Bank of the Southern Tier was among the beneficiaries of that largesse.
“We are so proud to make this donation to this excellent food bank,” said Shannon Robertson, recreation director at the Corning Center. “We know and understand that they are always looking for donations and what they do for the people of Elmira and throughout the Southern Tier is truly amazing.”
How Food Bank of the Southern Tier is trying to keep up with growing need
The food bank has several strategies for confronting a growing demand for food services.
Three key areas include food recovery, emphasis on nourishing food, and a strategic expansion of some programs.
“We’re focusing on food recovery more and more, trying to minimize waste,” said Bordeau, who noted the food bank works closely with regional grocery retailers such as Walmart, Wegmans, Weis Markets and others to cut down on food loss.
The food bank created a new position to maximize those efforts and through March recovered 133% more food over the same time last year.
The food bank’s service area includes Broome, Chemung, Schuyler, Steuben, Tioga, and Tompkins counties, and covers nearly 4,000 square miles.
“We’ve been working hard to see where there are pockets of hunger, where can we maximize services and expand programs,” Bordeau added. “Where are the gaps we need to fill?”
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For anyone considering supporting the food bank, financial contributions are the best way, Bordeau said.
“We love food donations, but if you donate money, we can triple that,” he said.
While the food bank is keeping pace with demand right now, Bordeau admits there is a lot of uncertainty for the future.
“The community has been supportive year after year but if demand keeps up, how much longer can they?” he asked. “We have some reserves, but they’re not for the long term. What the future holds — we don’t know.”
For more information, go to foodbankst.org.
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This article originally appeared on Elmira Star-Gazette: How Southern Tier Food Bank is responding to growing hunger issue
