Child Hunger Awareness Week puts spotlight on food insecurity in Tioga County

In an effort to bring attention to food insecurity in Tioga County, a press conference was held on June 5 at Tioga Opportunities in Owego, N.Y. to announce Child Hunger Awareness Week, June 5-9.

This year marks the second year that Tioga County has participated in the initiative.

Representatives from the Tioga County Legislature, Tioga County Chamber of Commerce, Tioga Opportunities, Food Bank of the Southern Tier, Broome-Tioga BOCES and the Tioga County Anti-Hunger Task Force, among others, attended the press conference.

The Tioga County Anti-Hunger Task Force helps increase access to summer meals for children and facilitates a Summer Lunch Box Program.

Andrew Hafer, director of community services at Tioga Opportunities and a member of the Tioga County Anti-Hunger Task Force, stated, “It’s all about advocacy and awareness of child hunger issues in the county,” and added, “By collaborating and partnering with government and non-government, non-profits, businesses and faith-based organizations, it’s succeeding because we’re all working together.”

Marte Sauerbrey, chair of the Tioga County Legislature, read an Executive Proclamation to kick off Child Hunger Awareness Week. Sauerbrey shared “hunger facts,” some of which are; 20 percent, or one in five children in Tioga County are considered food insecure; through the county’s summer food service program, about 508 children a day received free meals during the summer of 2016; nearly half of all people who use SNAP are children, and since 2015 when the Anti-Hunger Task Force was formed, recipients have increased by 23 percent.

Mark Bordeau, senior director of Food Services for Broome-Tioga BOCES and a member of the Board of Directors for the Food Bank of the Southern Tier, as well as an overseer of the summer meal initiative, is one of the partners making a difference. Bordeau shared, “Some of the best work in the state is being done by the Anti-Hunger Task Force.”

Bordeau explained that other hunger gaps have been addressed by sending nutritious food in backpacks home with children for the weekends during the school year, and new for the fall, three school districts in Tioga County will enhance free breakfast programs in their districts.

Nancy Eckstrom, a volunteer with the Anti-Hunger Task Force, explained that the unique collaboration of all partners has helped increase summer meal sites from eight in 2015, to 13 last year, and today, 16. Summer meal sites include churches, schools, libraries and community centers. Eckstrom also shared that the task force is reaching out to make a connection between schools and community gardens, which includes a new project at Tioga Central.  

Also attending the press conference was Emily Bidwell, a fifth grade student at Tioga Central.  Featured in a story last year in the Owego Pennysaver, Emily is involved with the national organization, “Katie’s Krops,” whereby she grew over 350 pounds of vegetables and donated portions to a local food pantry as well as the summer lunchbox program. The Bidwell’s now have an additional garden in Nichols, and are reaching out to school students and others to help grow fresh vegetables for children and the community.

During Child Hunger Awareness Week, members of the task force planned to blitz the county on Thursday wearing orange Anti-Hunger Task Force shirts in an effort to promote their programs.

Recently, the Owego Rotary hosted a 5K to benefit the task force and presented a check at the press conference for over $3,200.

The task force is seeking volunteers. For information on becoming a volunteer, or to donate to the organization, find them on Facebook or visit the website, feedtioga.org.