News

United Way of the Southern Tier mobilizes the caring power of individuals in our community by connecting them with the needs of local non-profits. Thank you for giving your time and talent to make the Southern Tier a wonderful place to live.  

Local organizations' needs (updated Dec. 4):

Spotlighted Needs

Senior Stocking Stuffers Drive: United Way of the Southern Tier is collecting items to fill holiday stockings/gift bags for local senior citizens who receive home-delivered meals through Meals on Wheels programs. Learn more or purchase items from the Amazon Wish List. Deadline to donate items is Friday, Dec. 8. 

Elmira Community Kitchen: Volunteers are invited to help prepare and serve Catholic Charities' Christmas Dinner from 2-3 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 25, in the dining room at the Elmira Community Kitchen, 160 High St. For more information or to sign up for a shift, email kathy.dubel@dor.org or call 607-317-5671. 

Pro Action Meals on Wheels Senior Nutrition Program: Volunteer drivers are needed in the Bath and Hornell area and Yates County. Use your own vehicle and get paid mileage monthly for every mile you drive to deliver meals. Our volunteers make a big difference in older adults' lives by delivering nutritious meals and providing check-ins, so seniors can stay independent in their homes. To volunteer or learn more information, contact Rebecca at 607-776-4310. 

Schuyler County Home-Delivered Meals: Volunteers are URGENTLY needed to deliver meals to the elderly on Thursdays and some Fridays. Pick up meals in Montour Falls at 10:30 a.m. Delivery route takes about an hour. To volunteer or for more information, call Holly at 607-535-6834.

MyFreeTaxes: MyFreeTaxes, a United Way progam that helps tens of thousands of people a year file their taxes and receive hundreds of millions of dollars in tax credits and refunds for free, is recruiting volunteers. Volunteers will be trained and certified to help MyFreeTaxes users by answering questions via email, live chat, and video chat. You can volunteer from the comfort of your home while helping others get thousands of dollars in tax credits and refunds they deserve. To apply, visit the website.

Farm Sanctuary, 3136 Aikens Road Watkins Glen, NY 14891:
1) Monthly: Take part in a fun, positive opportunity to meet new friends, pitch in with chores and projects, spend time with rescued farm animals, and learn more about our sanctuaries and efforts to protect animals from abuse. This event is devoted to activities that help us operate our sanctuaries and contribute to the success of our education and advocacy programs. Farm chores and projects generally include activities such as barn cleaning and grounds maintenance projects. Support party chores may be physically demanding. Volunteer Schedule: 8:45 a.m. Arrival; 9-9:30 a.m. Orientation; 9:30-11 a.m. Volunteer project work;11-11:45 a.m. Potluck lunch in Visitor Barn; 12-2 p.m. Volunteer project work; 2-3 p.m. Complimentary guided tour of the sanctuary (optional). Contact: volunteer@farmsanctuary.org or 607-583-2225 ext. 355.
2) Corporate/Private Group support parties are devoted to activities that help us operate our sanctuaries and contribute to the success of our education and advocacy programs. Farm chores and projects generally include activities such as barn cleaning and grounds maintenance projects. Private Group Support party chores are not glamorous and may be physically demanding and/or repetitious; however, every task assists us with carrying out our daily mission of rescuing, protecting, and caring for farm animals in need. Monthly chores and projects are determined immediately prior to the work party according to our greatest and most timely needs. Support parties include volunteering time and a sanctuary tour; for groups able to commit to a longer day, you are welcome to bring a vegan lunch as well. Contact: volunteer@farmsanctuary.org or 607-583-2225 ext. 355.

Catholic Charities of Chemung/Schuyler Counties: 
1) Food and personal hygiene items are being sought, specifically: Hormel Compleats; applesauce pouches; macaroni and cheese cups; fruit cups and fruit snacks; peanut butter and jelly; granola bars or trail mix bars; Raviolis and Spaghetti O’s; juice boxes; Rice-a-Roni cups; packages of crackers or Goldfish; and toothpaste and deodorant for all ages. Donations may be dropped off at the Catholic Charities’ Main Office (215 E. Church St. in Elmira) during regular business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.) Items can be purchased online. 
2) Volunteers (18 and older) are needed to help with the food pantry at the Samaritan Center, 380 S. Main St., Elmira. Shifts are available 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1-3:30 p.m. Monday-Friday. Volunteer once a week or once a month, or more often. Contact Sadie Stewart at 607-317-5549 or by email to learn more. (2023)

Catholic Charities of Steuben/Livingston Counties: The Bath Food Pantry, 23 Liberty St., needs volunteers from 8 a.m.-Noon or 1-4 p.m. Complete this form to be contacted. (2023)

Corning Meals on Wheels,144 Cedar St., Corning: Our volunteers deliver hot meals and welcoming smiles to homebound seniors in the greater Corning area, and we need your help.  We need substitutes delivery volunteers throughout the week. Fill in on days when it fits your schedule! You will leave here ~11:15 a.m. and would be back by 12:30 p.m. Contact: Call (607) 962-7985, email or sign up online. (2023) 

Elmira Salvation Army Food Pantry, 414 Lake St.: Volunteers are needed to assist with filling monthly bags and keeping the pantry stocked at the Citadel, 414 Lake St. in Elmira. Volunteers are also greatly needed at Christmastime to pack food and toy bags. Contact: Amber Burdick 607-732-0314 ext. 4 or email. (2023)

Faith in Action Steuben: Volunteers are needed to help seniors (60+) continue to live independently including: transportation for medical appointments, errands, and shopping; friendly visiting; light housework; seasonal yardwork, and other non-hands-on assistance. Mileage reimbursement available. Faith in Action helps maintain senior independence by giving assistance at no charge to the recipients. Volunteers will have an orientation and a background check. Contact: Faith in Action ST by email or call 607-324-1138. (2023)

Steuben County Office for the Aging; Project CARE: Project CARE is a program of the Steuben County Office for the Aging that helps older adults remain independent at home through volunteers who provide rides to medical appointments, grocery stores, and other necessary travel. We serve the greater Bath area and provide local transportation only. Volunteers can view upcoming jobs on our secure, web-based assignment system and choose to help with the "gift of a ride" at their convenience. Project CARE serves the greater Bath area, which includes the village and town of Bath, Avoca, Wheeler, Urbana (and Hammondsport), Bradford, Prattsburgh, Pulteney, and Wayne. All travel stays within this territory. Contact: Christine Towner, coordinator, by email.

Turning Point in Bath: Donations are needed of: liquid soap, bar soap, laundry detergent, deodorant, shampoo and conditioner, feminine hygiene products, shaving supplies. Donations may be dropped off 8:30-11:45 a.m. Monday-Friday at 23 Liberty St. in Bath. Call Haven at 607-776-8085 with questions. (2023)

AIM Independent Living Center: Delivery driver volunteers are needed for Chemung and Steuben counties. Gas cards are provided to volunteers as mileage reimbursement. Drivers must have a valid driver’s license and their own personal auto insurance. Deliveries are Mondays and Fridays, 9 a.m.-noon and 1-4 p.m. Volunteers can select which day and time they want to help. Please call Bryce at 607-962-8225, ext. 127, to volunteer or get more information. (2023)

Chemung County Habitat for Humanity: Volunteers are the foundation of Habitat's homeownership program. If you would like to volunteer (Tuesday through Saturday), visit www.chemungcountyhabitat.org or call (607) 734-1361. (2023)

Bampa's House: Bampa's House, a comfort care home at 170 E. First St. in Corning, is in need of caregiving volunteers who are interested in coming to the house for 4-hour shifts and tending to the residents. The caregiving role entails giving bed baths, changing depends, making food, repositioning, administering medications orally, and providing compassion and companionship when needed. Volunteers do not need to have any previous medical background. All necessary training will be provided. Please reach out to volunteer coordinator Lindsay Butler, 607-654-4205, or by email for more information about Bampa's House. (2023)

Pro Action of Steuben and Yates, Inc.: Volunteers are needed for to deliver meals to homebound seniors in the Hornell area. Choose the days you'd like to volunteer. Mileage reimbursement available. Call Rebecca at 607-776-4310 to learn more. (2023)

Institute for Human Services Volunteer Driver Program: Through IHS's volunteer driver service, you have the power to keep people facing transportation barriers on a path to health and wellness in your spare time. Drivers are reimbursed at the federal rate for mileage and for other costs incurred on the road. If you have the drive to help others, call 607-776-9467 ext. 222 to learn more and get on the  volunteer driver roster. (2023)

Blood Drives

If you are new to donating blood and wonder if you are eligible please visit RedCrossBlood.org for eligibility requirements. If you are already a donor please call 1-800-RED-CROSS or visit RedCrossBlood.org to make an appointment or to search for other appointments where you live.

Chemung County
Find Chemung County drives here

Steuben County
Find Steuben County drives here

Schuyler County
Find Schuyler County drives here

Please also visit the Red Cross website.

Volunteer Opportunities

Chemung County Meals on Wheels: Substitute drivers are needed. Fill in on a day that fits your schedule. Please call 607-734-9535 if you can help. 

Chemung County SPCA, 2435 State Route 352, Big Flats: Seeks mature volunteers for all phases of spay and neuter clinics. Clinics are held 8-10 times each month, usually on Wednesdays and Sundays. The location of the clinics is at the Chemung County Humane Society and SPCA on Route 352. Commitment time is approximately 6 hours per clinic, but this is flexible depending on your availability. Training will be provided. A minimum commitment of 2 clinics per month for 6 months is required. Contact Matt Guagliardo at 607-732-1827 ext. 2207 or mguagliardo@chemungspca.org. 

Dolly Parton's Imagination Library: You can help spread the word about the Imagination Library at local events. Please email Lois Wilson at United Way or call (607) 377-5834 to help. (2023)

Meals on Wheels of Chemung County, 409 William St., Elmira: Help deliver or prepare meals for delivery. Email info@mealsonwheelschemung.org or call 607-734-9535.

Red Cross (apply for any of the following at www.redcross.org/volunteer): 
• Service to Armed Forces-Hero Care Caseworker (100% virtual volunteer role) — Red Cross volunteers help members of the military, veterans and their families prepare for, cope with, and respond to the challenges of military service. If you are someone with strong listening skills and the ability to work with culturally diverse populations, you can help provide a critical link for families during emergency situations. 
• Disaster Action Team Member (in person; must be fully vaccinated & submit vaccination status/documents) —Home fires and other disasters can occur any time, any place. As a Disaster Action Team volunteer, you’ll provide emotional support, financial assistance, and information and referrals to help families begin the process of recovery. After your initial training, your shifts will include responding promptly to emergencies, night or day, rain or shine. 
• Blood Donor Ambassador (in person; must be fully vaccinated & submit vaccination status/documents) — To meet critical blood needs, the American Red Cross is looking for friendly, customer focused individuals to volunteer at blood drives in your community. The primary role of a Blood Donor Ambassador volunteer is to engage with donors by greeting, registering, answering questions, providing information, and supporting them through the recovery process at the refreshments table. The special attention volunteers give helps create a favorable impression that encourages ongoing donor support. 

Steuben Prevention Coalition: The Steuben Prevention Coalition's Marijuana Prevention Task Force is seeking volunteers to help educate local youth about the risks of marijuana use. To learn more, email colleen.banik@dor.org or visit the website. 

Turning Point Food Pantries: Volunteers are needed at the Bath and Hornell Turning Point food pantries. To get started, fill out this form: https://ccsteubenlivingston.org/volunteer/. 

Youth Mentoring of the Southern Tier (YMST) is recruiting volunteer mentors for its Steuben County and Chemung County locations. YMST is a site-based mentoring program that meets once a week at a designated location. Mentors are thoroughly screened including background and reference checks. During each hour long program, mentors and mentees participate in fun and enriching activities facilitated by site coordinators. Contact ymst@familyservicesociety.org  or 607-936-3507 for more information, or apply today at https://nysmentoringprogram.ny.gov/signUp. 

Donation Needs

Catholic Charities of Chemung & Schuyler:
• Paper Products: Cups, plates, plastic silverware, paper towels, toilet paper.
• Personal Care Items: Soap, shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, toothbrushes, razors, deodorant, feminine care products. 
Please call before dropping off at either: The Samaritan Center (607-734-4898; 380 S. Main St., Elmira) 10 a.m.– Noon, Tuesday or Thursday (Tuesday is the best day to drop off); OR Schuyler Outreach Food Pantry (607-535-2815; 112 Tenth St., Watkins Glen) Tuesday & Friday: 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Thursday: Noon-4 p.m.

Chemung County SPCA, 2435 State Route 352, Big Flats: Seeks canned cat and dog food, dry kitten and cat food, meat-only baby food, spray cheese, and kitten milk replacer. Items may be dropped off between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. or ordered online and shipped to: Chemung County SPCA, 2435 State Route 352, Elmira, NY 14903. Call 607-732-1827 ext. 212 for more information. 

Corning Meals on Wheels, 144 Cedar St., Corning: Seeks handmade "thinking of you" cards on up to 8.5x11-inch paper. Cards may be dropped off between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. weekdays.

If your Chemung or Steuben county non-profit organization has a volunteer need, please email Lois Wilson.