Corning Incorporated has awarded a $185,000 grant to the Food Bank of the Southern Tier to support eight School Food Centers in Chemung and Steuben counties. Each school will receive $22,500 to sustain school-based food pantries, with an additional $5,000 allocated for project management.
The grant will support the Food Bank’s efforts to combat food insecurity in the Southern Tier, where levels far outpace the national average. Currently, 73,070 individuals in the region – including thousands of children – are at risk of hunger annually. Chemung and Steuben counties are among the hardest-hit areas in New York State, with child food insecurity rates at 25% and 26.7% above the national average respectively.
Part of a Food Bank initiative, School Food Centers serve as spaces where food and other grocery items can be distributed at no cost within a school, providing students and their families with consistent access to nutritious meals in a supportive, inclusive environment.
“Food insecurity remains a heartbreaking challenge in the Southern Tier, particularly for children,” said Millicent Ruffin, Division Vice President, Corning Community Impact. “Tackling this issue requires decisive yet collaborative action. We’re proud to partner with the Food Bank to support its innovative School Food Centers, which ensure that families in our community have access to healthy food and essential resources.”
“School Food Centers are transforming how we support families,” said Mark Bordeau, President & CEO of Food Bank of the Southern Tier. “By embedding food assistance into schools, we meet students and families where they are – building trust and reducing stigma. Corning’s generous support will help us expand this program and ensure no child has to wonder where their next meal is coming from.”
The School Food Center program also offers older students the chance to develop leadership and life skills through activities ranging from inventory management and budgeting to customer service.
“Corning Incorporated’s contributions go beyond financial support – they create opportunities for local children to thrive. By addressing food insecurity, Corning is helping to build a stronger, more equitable future for our region,” Mark said.
About Corning Community Impact (CCI)
Established in December 2023, CCI centralizes Corning’s philanthropic contributions in the U.S. under a single organization to maximize impact in areas that align closely with its Values and business objectives. CCI acts as a trusted resource to nurture vibrant, equitable communities through thought leadership, philanthropic support, and long-term partnerships.
About Corning Incorporated
Corning (www.corning.com) is one of the world’s leading innovators in materials science, with a 170-year track record of life-changing inventions. Corning applies its unparalleled expertise in glass science, ceramic science, and optical physics along with its deep manufacturing and engineering capabilities to develop category-defining products that transform industries and enhance people’s lives. Corning succeeds through sustained investment in RD&E, a unique combination of material and process innovation, and deep, trust-based relationships with customers who are global leaders in their industries. Corning’s capabilities are versatile and synergistic, which allows the company to evolve to meet changing market needs, while also helping its customers capture new opportunities in dynamic industries. Today, Corning’s markets include optical communications, mobile consumer electronics, display, automotive, solar, semiconductors, and life sciences.
