Mission
Working together to build and sustain hunger-free communities throughout the Southern Tier.
Vision
The Food Bank of the Southern Tier is committed to creating a future without hunger where access to healthy food by all is recognized as fundamental to the well-being and success of individuals and the foundation of a strong, vibrant society.
See what happens when communities come together to fight food insecurity
Our Values
Integrity is our unwavering commitment to doing the right thing. It involves honesty, transparency, accountability, and respectful communication. It is the foundation of trust and is built by aligning our words and actions with our values, even in challenging circumstances.
Learning is a continuous process of seeking knowledge, skills, and understanding. To embody learning, we embrace curiosity and open communication, face challenges with a growth mindset and apply insights and feedback to improve ourselves and our work.
Inclusion creates a welcoming and respectful environment where everyone feels valued, heard, and empowered to contribute their unique perspectives. It involves actively seeking diverse input, building strong relationships, and fostering a sense of belonging.
Generosity means approaching our work and interactions with a positive and openhearted attitude. It means positively approaching challenges, showing gratitude. celebrating successes, and a willingness to support others.
Who We Serve
Our service area includes Broome, Chemung, Schuyler, Steuben, Tioga, and Tompkins Counties, covering nearly 4,000 square miles. Our partnership with member agencies across our service area is crucial to our mission as they ensure the food we acquire and distribute gets to the people who need it most.
In 2024, the Food Bank distributed more than 19.6 million pounds of food and grocery items through three main channels:
- More than 302 partner agencies, including food pantries, meal programs, shelters, after-school programs, and senior programs
- Food Bank direct-service programs: Mobile Food Pantry, BackPack, and Kids Farmers Market
- A partnership with CHOW in Broome County
* Working in Partnership to Meet the Need
CHOW – a redistribution organization of the Food Bank – and FBST work in partnership to leverage national, regional, and local resources to end hunger in Broome County. CHOW operates its facility in concert with the Food Bank, receiving food from FBST and relying on food and monetary donations from local residents, organizations and companies to fulfill our collective mission of ending hunger for all.
Our History
1980
1980
Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Rochester establishes the Southern Tier Office of Social Ministry in Elmira, NY.
1981
1981
Catholic Charities employees Sister Rosaria Hughes and Father Neil Miller establish the Food Bank of the Southern Tier. The Food Bank begins with a borrowed truck and operates from a small warehouse on Grand Central Avenue. Food is distributed and stored free of charge to all food pantries. The first Director of the Food Bank is Walter Kronicz and the first driver for the Food Bank is Bernie Stansfield.
1982
1982
The Food Bank Advisory Council is formed. Original members included David Biviano (chair), Bernie and Cis Seiser, Patricia Redman, Lois Cullinan, Reverend Clint Barlow, Bill Ramsdell, Anne DeMember, Jerry Palidino and Roy Farr.
1984
1984
The Food Bank moves to a larger warehouse location on Grand Central Avenue. The year is marked by growth in member agencies, and the first community appeal through solicitation letters. However, budget concerns arise.
1985
1985
The Food Bank’s budget issues grow. Food pantries and programs expand to more than 130. Food distribution increased to 100,000 pounds per month. An appeal to Chemung County for a $7,000 grant is made The Food Bank meets with its pantry partners and presents a plan to begin charging a $0.10 per pound shared maintenance fee to cover the cost of transportation and handling.
1986
1986
The Food Bank endures its first financial crisis and nearly closed its doors. Marketing and fund raising efforts intensify with newspaper ads, brochure distribution, car raffles and a direct mail campaign. The Food Bank raises $27,000. The Chemung County Legislature increases support to $17,000. The closing of the Food Bank is averted. The Advisory Committee restructured its operations, communications and fund raising committees. Irene Johnson is appointed as the Food Bank’s executive director.
1987
1987
The Food Bank enters into a contract with NYS Office of General Services to distribute TEFAP (USDA Commodities). The Food Bank is awarded a contract with NYS Department of Health under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) which later became known as the Hunger Prevention Nutrition Assistance Program (HPNAP). Both programs led to a significant increase in budget, staff and food. The Food Bank’s annual budget is $100,000 and food distribution is one million pounds.
1989-1993
1989-1993
Community members Bill Shaffer and Ron Pelino search for a permanent home for the Food Bank.
1990
1990
Nellie Monroe’s property on County Route 64 in Big Flats becomes available.
1991
1991
John Farrer is the Food Bank’s Executive Director. SNAP funds are used to purchase a drive-in freezer and truck. Plans are developed for the construction of a new building on County Rte 64.
1992
1992
The Food Bank expands its inventory to include purchased food, supplemented by SNAP funds.
1994
1994
The Food Bank moves to their new building in Big Flats. A day later the roof collapsed on the old building.
1998
1998
The Food Bank employs seven full-time staff with a $750,000 budget and installs a computerized inventory system.
1999
1999
Paul Hesler is hired as the Executive Director of the Food Bank.
2003
2003
In January 2003, the Food Bank is established as a subsidiary of Diocesan Catholic Charities with a separate board having exclusive focus on the affairs and needs of the Food Bank. Under the leadership of President & CEO Paul Hesler, and Richard Wardell, the first chairperson of the Board of Directors, the Food Bank take dramatic steps to increase its efforts to end hunger in the Southern Tier.
2005
2005
The Food Bank piloted the BackPack Program in three communities serving 100 kids per week. The BackPack Program is targeted to serve children at-risk of hunger by providing a bag of nutritious food each Friday throughout the school year.
2006
2006
The Food Bank facilities committee is appointed to study options for more space.
2007
2007
The first Mobile Food Pantry Program was launched in July. This program utilizes beverage distribution trucks retrofitted for food banking purposes to deliver fresh produce, dairy and other food and grocery products directly to the consumer in rural areas. The first two trucks were donated by John Potter and the Seneca Beverage Company.
2008
2008
Natasha Thompson is named President & CEO of the Food Bank. The Food Bank increases its food distribution by 30% to 6.7 million pounds to meet growing demand.
2009
2009
John Potter, owner of Seneca Beverage Corporation, approaches Food Bank about buying his 65,000 square foot warehouse building in Elmira. The Corning Incorporated Foundation pledges $5,000,000 to the building campaign.
2017
2017
The Food Bank of the Southern Tier was named the 2017 Food Bank of the Year by Feeding America. We were selected for being the most outstanding food bank out of more than 200 Feeding America member food banks across the country.
1980
1980
Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Rochester establishes the Southern Tier Office of Social Ministry in Elmira, NY.
1981
1981
Catholic Charities employees Sister Rosaria Hughes and Father Neil Miller establish the Food Bank of the Southern Tier. The Food Bank begins with a borrowed truck and operates from a small warehouse on Grand Central Avenue. Food is distributed and stored free of charge to all food pantries. The first Director of the Food Bank is Walter Kronicz and the first driver for the Food Bank is Bernie Stansfield.
1982
1982
The Food Bank Advisory Council is formed. Original members included David Biviano (chair), Bernie and Cis Seiser, Patricia Redman, Lois Cullinan, Reverend Clint Barlow, Bill Ramsdell, Anne DeMember, Jerry Palidino and Roy Farr.
1984
1984
The Food Bank moves to a larger warehouse location on Grand Central Avenue. The year is marked by growth in member agencies, and the first community appeal through solicitation letters. However, budget concerns arise.
1985
1985
The Food Bank’s budget issues grow. Food pantries and programs expand to more than 130. Food distribution increased to 100,000 pounds per month. An appeal to Chemung County for a $7,000 grant is made The Food Bank meets with its pantry partners and presents a plan to begin charging a $0.10 per pound shared maintenance fee to cover the cost of transportation and handling.
1986
1986
The Food Bank endures its first financial crisis and nearly closed its doors. Marketing and fund raising efforts intensify with newspaper ads, brochure distribution, car raffles and a direct mail campaign. The Food Bank raises $27,000. The Chemung County Legislature increases support to $17,000. The closing of the Food Bank is averted. The Advisory Committee restructured its operations, communications and fund raising committees. Irene Johnson is appointed as the Food Bank’s executive director.
1987
1987
The Food Bank enters into a contract with NYS Office of General Services to distribute TEFAP (USDA Commodities). The Food Bank is awarded a contract with NYS Department of Health under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) which later became known as the Hunger Prevention Nutrition Assistance Program (HPNAP). Both programs led to a significant increase in budget, staff and food. The Food Bank’s annual budget is $100,000 and food distribution is one million pounds.
1989-1993
1989-1993
Community members Bill Shaffer and Ron Pelino search for a permanent home for the Food Bank.
1990
1990
Nellie Monroe’s property on County Route 64 in Big Flats becomes available.
1991
1991
John Farrer is the Food Bank’s Executive Director. SNAP funds are used to purchase a drive-in freezer and truck. Plans are developed for the construction of a new building on County Rte 64.
1992
1992
The Food Bank expands its inventory to include purchased food, supplemented by SNAP funds.
1994
1994
The Food Bank moves to their new building in Big Flats. A day later the roof collapsed on the old building.
1998
1998
The Food Bank employs seven full-time staff with a $750,000 budget and installs a computerized inventory system.
1999
1999
Paul Hesler is hired as the Executive Director of the Food Bank.
2003
2003
In January 2003, the Food Bank is established as a subsidiary of Diocesan Catholic Charities with a separate board having exclusive focus on the affairs and needs of the Food Bank. Under the leadership of President & CEO Paul Hesler, and Richard Wardell, the first chairperson of the Board of Directors, the Food Bank take dramatic steps to increase its efforts to end hunger in the Southern Tier.
2005
2005
The Food Bank piloted the BackPack Program in three communities serving 100 kids per week. The BackPack Program is targeted to serve children at-risk of hunger by providing a bag of nutritious food each Friday throughout the school year.
2006
2006
The Food Bank facilities committee is appointed to study options for more space.
2007
2007
The first Mobile Food Pantry Program was launched in July. This program utilizes beverage distribution trucks retrofitted for food banking purposes to deliver fresh produce, dairy and other food and grocery products directly to the consumer in rural areas. The first two trucks were donated by John Potter and the Seneca Beverage Company.
2008
2008
Natasha Thompson is named President & CEO of the Food Bank. The Food Bank increases its food distribution by 30% to 6.7 million pounds to meet growing demand.
2009
2009
John Potter, owner of Seneca Beverage Corporation, approaches Food Bank about buying his 65,000 square foot warehouse building in Elmira. The Corning Incorporated Foundation pledges $5,000,000 to the building campaign.
2017
2017
The Food Bank of the Southern Tier was named the 2017 Food Bank of the Year by Feeding America. We were selected for being the most outstanding food bank out of more than 200 Feeding America member food banks across the country.
