Senator Lea Webb Delivers $400,000 to Food Bank of the Southern Tier for Critical Infrastructure Upgrades

Binghamton, NY – Today, Senator Lea Webb announced that she has secured $400,000 in state funds to support vital infrastructure projects at the Food Bank of the Southern Tier. This significant investment will enable the organization to purchase heat pumps, a tractor-trailer, and other warehouse and logistics equipment. These infrastructure upgrades will bolster the organization's operational capabilities and underscore Senator Webb's commitment to supporting local organizations and combating food insecurity in her district.

Serving Broome, Chemung, Schuyler, Steuben, Tioga, and Tompkins Counties, and covering nearly 4,000 square miles, the Food Bank's service area is extensive. The organization operates a 65,000-square-foot warehouse and feeds more than 31,000 food-insecure New Yorkers each week. This year alone, the organization will pack and distribute over 18 million pounds of food.

"As the only food bank in the region, the Food Bank of the Southern Tier is vital to our emergency food system, and it is crucial that they are well-equipped to meet the needs of our community," said Senator Lea Webb. "I am proud to deliver this funding to the Food Bank of the Southern Tier, which will support critical infrastructure upgrades and sustain the organization's mission of eliminating hunger throughout the Southern Tier. This investment will help the Food Bank continue its essential work, providing nutritious food to those in need and strengthening our local food security."

"Serving our network of partners and neighbors in need in the Southern Tier goes beyond just the food. We are incredibly grateful to Senator Webb for securing $400,000 in funding through the Community Resiliency, Economic Sustainability, and Technology Program (CREST) for capital equipment," said Mark Bordeau, President and CEO of the Food Bank of the Southern Tier. "This funding will upgrade our heating and air conditioning, enhancing the comfort for our staff and volunteers who are packing and distributing over 18 million pounds of food this year. It will also provide an update to our truck fleet, which is vital for getting that food from our warehouse in Elmira to people in our six counties. Many people think funding food is the answer, but we also need the infrastructure to store and deliver that food, like the forklifts and trucks our team uses daily, and we are so grateful Senator Webb is supporting these needs."

The Food Bank of the Southern Tier's mission is to work together to build and sustain hunger-free communities throughout the Southern Tier. This funding is a testament to the importance of investing in the necessary tools and infrastructure to ensure the organization's continued success in serving the community.

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Photos from the Announcement (LINK) | Video from the Announcement (LINK)