Real stories of real change
From impactful volunteer events to inspiring stories of advocacy and change, see what’s new with the Food Bank of the Southern Tier. You can also stay up to date on all the latest stories by subscribing to our Harvester Newsletter.
The call came in on an October morning. Dollar General in Chemung had a large donation ready for pickup. When the In His Presence Pantry team arrived, they were stunned. 800 pounds of fresh milk filled the coolers. Gallons that would have gone to waste were now headed straight to family refrigerators across the community. [...]
Advocacy is a lot like a muscle: It gets stronger the more you use it. That’s how Sayre Paradiso recently described her approach to food justice and social equity. As a Tompkins County resident and Community Advocate, Sayre is actively involved in several food access initiatives – from running a local pantry to participating in [...]
Tioughnioga Riverside Academy (TRA) is a middle school located in Whitney Point, on the banks of the scenic Tioughnioga River – a 34.2-mile-long tributary that flows through several counties. Another major tributary, the Otselic River, also enters the Tioughnioga River nearby. Like many rural communities in the Southern Tier, TRA students are just as accustomed [...]
Coming May 2026 | Chemung County & Rochester, NY St. Mary Our Mother Church (816 West Broad Street, Horseheads, NY 14845): May 4, 2026 St. Marianne Cope Parish (2061 E Henrietta Road, Rochester, NY 14623): May 7, 2026 People of Hope: A National Storytelling Experience Coming Soon Celebrating the power of compassion, service, and faith, People of Hope is [...]
Tracey Hayes isn’t much of a hugger. But she can count on plenty of them every Friday. “I bet I have 10 people hug me every time,” she said. At Thomas A. Edison High School, Friday isn’t just about getting to the weekend. It’s the day that students and their families visit the School Food [...]
Before many households settle into their day, Michelle is already moving through hers, navigating a web of responsibilities that never truly pause. Caregiving shapes nearly every hour. Michelle cares for three family members. Her adult son has severe autism and rarely leaves the house, perhaps once every few months. Her partner lives with a physical [...]
At the Food Bank of the Southern Tier, that kind of strength lives in Theresa Krause. Theresa has been named a Women of Distinction honoree by Fidelis Care, a recognition that reflects what so many in our region already know: her leadership, compassion, and relentless commitment are changing lives. But awards rarely capture the full [...]
Doc hesitates for a moment before opening the door to the Wellness Warehouse in Odessa. He adjusts his well-worn Vietnam Veteran hat, steps inside, and greets the staff with a firm handshake and an easy smile. He’s spent a lifetime serving others. Now, like many veterans, he’s navigating a season where he needs support of [...]
Lester navigated the busy streets as a cab driver for 24 years before retiring to a rural area of the Southern Tier, between the towns of Bath and Cameron. He enjoys gardening and growing vegetables like cucumbers, corn, and tomatoes in his raised garden beds. But, as a senior living on his own, things aren’t [...]
The line to get a turkey meal from the Addison Area Food Pantry wrapped all the way down the block and around the corner, but this isn’t usual. Jaime Potts, the pantry’s Program Coordinator, said their 2025 Turkey Giveaway was the busiest they’d ever been. “That was the most people we’ve ever had at once. [...]
