By Jeffery Smith jsmith @the-leader.com
CORNING - The Corning Community Food Pantry will open at 10 a.m. today at its new location that will help better serve those who live with food insecurity on a daily basis.
The move to 11715 E. Corning Rd., was possible due to the kindness and generosity of our friends and neighbors, said Cheri Crozier, president of the Board of Directors for the Food Pantry during a ribbon-cutting event Tuesday morning.
“The extra space and layout of the new site will allow expansion of daily operations and special projects, including educational programs,” Crozier said.
Natasha Thompson, president and CEO of the Food Bank of the Southern Tier, thanked the many Food Bank volunteers for their amazing leadership.
“The incredible amount of community supports it receives is really (why) it's a model for the rest of the network,” Thompson said. “The fact that it’s totally run by volunteers is a testament to the people who are part of making this program a success. It’s an example of what we can do when we work together.”
The Food Pantry is centrally located for its client base, Crozier said. The facility is about an eight minute drive from downtown Corning and is a flag stop on CEATS Bus Route 2.
Hours of operation will be 9 a.m. to noon Monday and Tuesday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday, noon to 3 p.m. Thursday and Friday and 10 to noon on the second and fourth Saturdays of each month.
The food pantry provides supplemental food assistance and nutrition education to people in need: children, adults, seniors, the homeless, the unemployed and the working poor, Crozier said.
Most clients are operating at or below poverty guideline standards that are established each year by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Clients typically receive enough groceries for five to seven days, with an emphasis on nutritious foods such as fruits, vegetables, grains, dairy products, meats and non-meat proteins. Also available are personal care products, diapers, clothing and other items that help meet basic human needs.
Crozier said the search for a new, larger location began in earnest more than two years ago.
Jim Flaws and Marcia Weber donated $50,000 to get the ball rolling, Crozier said. In addition other generous contributions included money from Kirk and Penny Gregg, Chris and John Sharkey, Tom and Beth Tranter, Kim Frock and Wendell Weeks, The Community Foundation of Elmira-Corning, Corning Inc. Foundation and Corning Enterprises.
“All of you generous people who have brought us to this point, words are certainly not enough to thank you,” said Beth Wasson, executive director of the Food Pantry. “Your generosity has made this all possible. You have touched our hearts and we will continue to have a significant impact on the lives of so many people.”
Last year, the Food Pantry distributed more than 300,000 pounds of food to nearly 26,000 individuals. An all-volunteer organization with no paid staff, more than 90 percent of money donated to the pantry goes directly to the purchase of food.
The mailing address for donations is PO Box 1255, Corning, NY.
For more information, visit corningfoodpantry.com.
