Families across the Southern Tier and Tioga County will see expanded support from local food programs after lawmakers approved new funding to help address rising food insecurity.
The Tioga County Legislature has awarded $100,000 to the Food Bank of the Southern Tier, directing the money to food pantries and meal sites serving communities throughout the county. Officials say the support comes at a critical time, as many residents continue to face higher food costs and reduced SNAP benefits.
The funding will be distributed to the following local programs:
• A New Hope Center (Owego) – Shelter
• Allied Christians of Tioga (Owego) – Community Kitchen
• Bread of Life Food Pantry (Candor)
• Catholic Charities Tioga – Community Kitchen (Nichols)
• Catholic Charities Tioga – Tioga Outreach Pantry (Nichols)
• Helping Hands Food Pantry (Berkshire)
• Open Door Mission Pantry (Owego)
• Park Terrace Food Pantry (Apalachin)
• Project Neighbor of Newark Valley
• Spencer-Van Etten Community Food Cupboard
• Tioga County Rural Ministry (Owego)
• Valley Food Pantry (Waverly)
County officials say the goal is to ensure every community has reliable access to nutritious food, especially as winter approaches.
The Food Bank’s service area includes Broome, Chemung, Schuyler, Steuben, Tioga, and Tompkins Counties, covering nearly 4,000 square miles.
