Blog

On March 6, 2025, 100 employees from Corning Incorporated came together for the Corning Leader of the Pack event, demonstrating their commitment to ending hunger in the Southern Tier. Through teamwork, enthusiasm, and a shared mission, participants packed over 4,800 BackPack bags filled with nourishing food, ready for distribution to children at risk of hunger across our community.

A High-Energy Event with a Purpose

The Leader of the Pack event isn’t just about speed—it’s about impact. Each team was challenged to pack 480 bags, filling 60 cases of BackPack bags as quickly and efficiently as possible. While a friendly competition added excitement to the day, the real victory came in knowing that thousands of children will have access to the food they need. Additional prizes added to the fun, but the biggest reward was making a tangible difference in the fight against hunger.

The BackPack Program: Fighting Childhood Hunger

The BackPack Program is a crucial initiative of the Food Bank of the Southern Tier, ensuring that children facing food insecurity have access to nutritious meals over the weekends and school breaks. Entirely funded by private donations, this program relies on community support—from financial contributions to volunteer efforts like those of Corning Incorporated employees.

Corning’s Ongoing Commitment to Hunger-Free Communities

For decades, Corning and FBST have worked hand-in-hand to address food insecurity, providing not only financial support but also volunteers and logistical assistance, including critical aid during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic. Their impact has been instrumental in strengthening our ability to serve neighbors in need.

Looking Ahead: Engaging Corning Employees Beyond This Event

The success of Corning Leader of the Pack reinforces the importance of corporate partnerships in the fight against hunger. As we celebrate this event, we also look ahead to how we can further engage Corning employees as volunteers and donors beyond today. Their dedication and generosity fuel our mission, and we are excited to continue finding ways to work together.

Thank You to Everyone Who Made This Possible!

A huge thank you to all the Corning employees who participated, to the organizers who made this event a success, and to everyone who supports the Food Bank of the Southern Tier’s mission. Your efforts are more critical now than ever.

Top Fundraising Team: Corning® Gorilla® Glass: Gorilla Grocers led the way, raising an amazing $6,697.50!
⏱️ RD&Eats took home the win with a record time of 36:32!

#CorningLeaderOfThePack #FightingHunger #BackPackProgram #FoodBankST #VolunteerImpact