Opinion: Catholic Charities recognizes farmers

Dear Editor,

This letter is to the farmers of Tioga County. In celebration of Hunger Action Month, Catholic Charities Tioga Outreach Center recognizes your contributions to our county through food you manage, jobs you give, taxes you pay and more. 

We appreciate and applaud your efforts to allocate extra time and food for donations to those in need. With your help, Catholic Charities is one of many food pantries in Tioga County that stand ready to help those in need. 

The fresh produce from your farms is very important to the health of the people we serve. We know that poverty is at the root of hunger insecurity, and we see that many people coming to the food pantry have poor health. Your food donations help heal. 

As you help take care of others in your community and take care of your land and crops, we remind you to take care of yourself as well; farming can be so unpredictable and stressful on finances and have such long hours. 

If you find yourself in a tight spot, you can call Catholic Charities for emergency financial assistance for things like utility terminations. We know where certified mortgage foreclosure prevention programs are, we help with SNAP applications (food stamps), and much more. Help is confidential and free.  

You have our gratitude for helping people in need, for making our county more food secure, and for taking care of the land.  

September is Hunger Action Month, and you farmers take action all year long. Thank you very much. 

Sincerely,

Laurie Ellis

Community Services Director

Catholic Charities

139 Roki Blvd., Nichols, N.Y.

(607) 414-1023, ext. 306