Tioga County Rural Ministry thankful for holiday donations; need continues into New Year

Sister Mary O’Brien, executive director of the Tioga County Rural Ministry (TCRM) was delighted to see a generous outpouring of support from the local community during the holiday season. In particular, Sister Mary cited that donations from the Owego Apalachin Middle School (OAMS) and the New York State Department of Labor (NYSDOL) brought in upwards of 2,000 pounds of food for the TCRM food pantry.

“The community is so fabulous, especially during the holiday season,” Sister Mary said, and went on to explain, “Yet, people tend to forget that the need is always there, even after the holidays.”

Sister Mary estimated that the massive food donation made by the school and NYSDOL just prior to Christmas will most likely accommodate pantry guests for about 30 to 45 days.

Ken Francisco, assistant principal at OAMS shared, “Each year, this endeavor helps increase our students awareness of what goes on in our community, and the need for such efforts.  In the end, the goal is to plant seeds for their lifelong involvement.”

Francisco said OAMS donated 1,950 food items that weighed a total of 1,465 pounds. He also acknowledged OAMS family and consumer science teacher, Cindy Tebo, for leading the effort as student council adviser.

Owego Apalachin superintendent, Corey Green, commented, “We are proud of the fantastic volunteer efforts from our students and their families, our faculty and staff.  Our middle school’s involvement with the TCRM holiday food drive is a tradition that goes back to the Elm Street school days.”
The largest unmet need that TCRM addresses is food security, and in addition, household and personal hygiene items are also critical needs. Sister Mary encourages area community groups to consider holding a “Share the Love” Valentine’s Day drive.  Household and personal hygiene items such as dish soap, laundry detergent, shampoo and deodorant, bars of soap, toothpaste and toilet paper are an ongoing need at the TCRM food pantry.

“It’s a perfect time for a drive since February is the month in which we celebrate love,” Sister Mary said.

Sister Mary added, “Right now we distribute two rolls of toilet paper per customer, because we do not have enough to give more.” 

TCRM also holds an annual event in May called “Soap for Hope,” whereby bins are placed throughout the Owego community, such as in churches, schools and businesses, to collect household and personal hygiene products for pantry guests. Such items cannot be purchased with SNAP benefits.  

An upcoming February event, TCRM is hosting their annual “Super Pancake Breakfast” on Super Bowl Sunday, Feb. 5, 2017 from 8 a.m. to noon at Tioga Opportunities located at 9 Sheldon Guile Blvd. in Owego.

For more information about the Tioga County Rural Ministry, events and food pantry hours, call (607) 687-3021, find them on Facebook or visit their website at tcrm.org.