The Corning Community Food Pantry is a member agency of the Food Bank of the Southern Tier, which is located in Elmira, NY. The Food Bank provides food and grocery items to a network of over 180 agencies throughout six counties.
As a member of the Food Bank, we are required by contract to adhere to strict guidelines that ensure that food is stored safely, adequate records are kept and clients are served with dignity and respect. The Food Bank helps us effectively leverage our resources to feed individuals in need by giving us access to donated, as well as wholesale food. In addition, Food Bank membership qualifies us to apply for a variety of grants that help cover the cost of food and other operational expenses.
The Pantry is governed by a Board of Directors. Volunteer Co-Directors administer the daily operations of the Food Pantry while approximately eighty community volunteers work diligently throughout the year to keep the pantry open on a routine basis.
The duties of these dedicated volunteers are diverse and varied and are an integral part of the operation.
Without the generosity and support of so many in our community and surrounding area, our ability to serve our clients would be severely curtailed.
Approximately 97% of all our donated monies go directly to the purchase of food items for our clients.
Services Available at our Pantry Location
The Corning Community Food Pantry and Catholic Charities of Steuben County have teamed
up to provide our clients and the community with the following essential services
which are all available at one central location;Food, Mentoring, Clothing, Shelter Assistance, Nutritional Education, Lending Book Library, Food Stamp Assistance, Financial Education, Prescription Assistance, HEAP, Referrals to other agencies and Co-ordination of Services with other Agencies.
The operational policy of our pantry is,
"NO ONE IS EVER TURNED AWAY"
The majority of our clients are operating below the poverty guideline standards.
Clients are given 3 days of nutritious food items, such as grains, vegetables, fruits, dairy products, meat & non-meat proteins, fats & oils and sweets. In 2007 we served served approximately 19,000 individuals, one half of whom were children and the elderly.