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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.

“Our coolers are full and ready to distribute,” the team shared. “It’s been a huge boost.”

This is what collaboration looks like in action.

Through a partnership between the Food Bank and 50 Dollar General stores across the Southern Tier, good food that can no longer be sold — but is perfectly safe to eat — is now rescued weekly. Milk, bottled water, crackers, baking mixes, condiments, and more move from store shelves to local pantries, where they’re used right away.

At places like the Cayuta Food Pantry, coordinators have built reliable pickup routines and relationships with store staff. They know what to expect each week and how quickly families will need it. Milk becomes breakfast, bottled water fills lunch boxes, and staples turn into meals.

Behind each successful pickup are people who care deeply about where this food goes. At the Dollar General in Montour Falls, team members like Shelby, Mandy, and Andrea organize donations, communicate with local pantries, and ensure quality standards week after week. Their commitment turns logistics into a meaningful community connection.

To read the full Spring 2026 Harvester click here.