_edited_jp.jpg)
Cortland Food Pantry Fundraiser
United Way for Cortland County’s Crisis Response for Supporting Local Food Access
The United Way for Cortland County (UWCC), in partnership with the Food Bank of Central New York (FBCNY), is launching a critical fundraising campaign to address the escalating need for food assistance right here in Cortland County.
The Challenge:
The recent pause in federal support, including SNAP and HEAP benefits, has placed an immediate and severe burden on local families. Initial reports from Cortland pantries show a dramatic surge in demand, with many locations reporting a doubling of visits, the majority of which are new clients accessing food assistance for the very first time. Neighbors are being forced to make impossible choices between life sustaining needs like heat and food.
This campaign aims to raise funding to help the 16 county food pantries who have an existing relationship with FBCNY to increase their buying power at the Food Bank. These local essential food access locations need our help to keep their shelves stocked and meet the unprecedented demand, especially as we head into the difficult winter months.
In partnership, we seek to raise funds that will be directly loaded onto Cortland County's established FBCNY spending accounts. All money raised through this campaign will be forwarded directly to only these Cortland specific accounts at FBCNY.
How Donations Make a Difference:
Direct Local Impact: Through this effort and partnership, every dollar donated is guaranteed to stay local to Cortland County.
Maximum Efficiency: Cortland pantries maximize their buying power by leveraging the FBCNY network to purchase food in bulk. This process results in significantly lower costs, meaning every dollar donated reaches further and provides a greater quantity of food than can be purchased outside of this efficient system. This enables more people in need to be served.
Basic Human Right: By contributing, donors are supporting a vital effort by UWCC to ensure food security is maintained for every resident, fulfilling a basic human right for the community during an emergency.
