- By Ann M. Colt
- Around Town
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The need for emergency food assistance in Tompkins County continues to grow. In 2005, the Food Bank of the Southern Tier’s affiliated pantries served 83,800 (duplicated count) individuals. In 2006, those pantries served 84,223 (duplicated count) individuals. Most pantries saw an increase in their workload, particularly the newly established Freeville Food Pantry (2,699 since January 2006) and Immaculate Conception Food Pantry (15,601.)
As a result, the Food Bank of the Southern Tier has been awarded a grant of $10,000. These funds will be used to purchase food for the 14 pantries in the Tompkins County Food Distribution Network. The Pantry Network remains a key resource for local households.
Foodnet Meals on Wheels will receive $2,000 to help provide Food Stamp Benefit Card Outreach and application assistance. This grant will be combined with a $1,000 grant from the Women’s Fund of the Community Foundation of Tompkins County. These funds will be used to continue the pilot program funded by United Way of Tompkins County in 2006. The grant will increase participation of eligible older persons, mainly women because of the demographics of this age group, in the United States Department of Agriculture’s Food Stamp Program by eliminating perceived and actual barriers that seniors experience when applying for benefits. The goal is to help 150 people in Tompkins County.
Loaves and Fishes will receive $6,020 to purchase food items that would only be occasionally or rarely available otherwise, like hard cheese, seasonal fruits and vegetables, olive oil, and butter, and to cover twenty weeks of increased staff hours. Loaves and Fishes served 31,894 meals in 2006.
Lastly, Cornell Cooperative Extension Tompkins County will receive $1,822 to subsidize the costs of 15 shares of Community Supported Agriculture Programs. CSA is a way for the public to create a relationship with local, small-scale, sustainable farmers; the Full Plate Farm Collective, and to receive a weekly basket of fresh produce. The full-cost of a 12-week share is $217.50 per family. With the United Way grant, fifteen, families with low-incomes, will receive a wide array of fresh fruits and vegetables for only $96.00 per 12-week share. The Community Supported Agriculture model is an excellent example of how small, local farms can remain economically viable by connecting directly with members of the community to address hunger and food security issues.
In return, CSA members enjoy fresh, quality food, help preserve local farmland, and connect to their food source. Cornell Cooperative Extension serves urban, suburban, town and rural areas by offering programs in Agriculture & Food Systems, Children Youth & Families, Community & Economic Development, Environment & Natural Resources, and Nutrition & Health.
Hunger and Food Security has been identified as an issue affecting hundreds of individuals and families throughout Tompkins County. As a result, it has become one of United Way of Tompkins County’s targeted areas of care. By awarding these funds, United Way’s Board of Directors believes that needed food resources will be available for families and individuals. Between January 2006 and March 2007, United Way of Tompkins County has allocated $51,511 for hunger and food security programs. Donors contributed $55,619 through the most recent successful United Way of Tompkins County Community Campaign, including a $25,000 grant from the Triad Foundation.
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