News

Volunteer and donation needs in our community

Thank you for wanting to help our community by giving your time. United Way of the Southern Tier is talking to local non-profits about their needs and updates this list frequently. 

Local organizations' needs (updated May 23):


Spotlighted Needs

Notes of encouragement for school children: United Way of the Southern Tier is seeking notes of encouragement for children to let them know that we're all pulling for them and that they can finish strong. Deadline to drop off cards to United Way, 88 E. Tioga Ave., Suite 102, Corning, NY 14830, is 5 p.m. Thursday, June 1. Learn more

Girls on the Run: Volunteers are needed to help at the Girls on the Run Family Festival and 5K from 9 a.m. to noon on Sunday, June 4, at Bath Central School District High School Track. Volunteers roles: Course monitors; water stations; family festival stations; pacer; running buddy (run with a participant); set-up, etc. To volunteer, register here. (2023)

Catholic Charities Steuben/Livingston: Donations are needed of: diapers size 5-7; large size pull ups, and nighttime diapers; canned fruit and vegetables; tuna; pasta; canned chicken soup; shelf-stable milk; spaghetti sauce; peanut butter; kidney beans; and macaroni & cheese. Bring items to Catholic Charities in: Hornell (12 Allen St.); Bath (23 Liberty St.); or Mount Morris (The New Family Theater, 102 Main St.). (2023)

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)

Catholic Charities of Chemung/Schuyler Counties: Needs grocery store gift cards and bus tokens to assist people who are experiencing homelessness. Donations may be mailed or brought to Catholic Charities’ Samaritan Center (380 S. Main St. in Elmira), Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. or The Schuyler Outreach Food Pantry (112 10th St. in Watkins Glen) Tuesday & Friday: 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Thursday: Noon-4 p.m. (2023)

Chemung County Meals on Wheels: Delivery volunteers are needed in the Horseheads area. Deliveries start at the United Methodist Church on Broad Street at 10:30 a.m. and are completed by 12:30 p.m. at the latest. Volunteers can select which day they want to help. Please call 607-734-9535 to volunteer or get more information. (2023)

Family Service Society: Seeking donations of paper towels, deodorant, Lysol wipes, laundry detergent for sensitive skin and more. Find the full list here. To arrange a drop-off time and location (offices in Corning, Bath and Hornell), contact Katie DeLaney by email or call 607-542-8480. (2022)

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. (2022)

Bampa's House: Bampa's House, a comfort care home in Corning, is in need of volunteers to provide care to residents and volunteers to do housekeeping. (2022)
* Caregiving Volunteers: Under the direction of our RN executive director, our volunteer caregivers provide all aspects of care for residents, including meals, laundry, self care, and medications. A comprehensive training is provided and previous medical experience is not required. Please reach out to volunteer coordinator Karen Charnetski, 607-654-4205, for more information about Bampa's House.
* Housekeeping Volunteers: Volunteers will dust, vacuum, mop, wipe and sanitize our kitchen, residents rooms, and other living areas on a weekly basis. If you like to clean and want to be a part of a caring team, please contact volunteer coordinator Karen Charnetski, 607-654-4205, for more information about Bampa's House.

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. (2022)

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. (2022)


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

Corning Meals on Wheels: Substitute delivery volunteers are needed. Please consider donating your lunchtime to deliver much needed, healthy meals to our homebound senior neighbors. Call today at (607) 962-7985 or sign up online at http://www.cmowheels.com/Volunteer-Application.html

Faith in Action (Steuben County): Help senior citizens with grocery shopping or by taking them to medical appointments in Steuben County. You must have a valid driver's license. Call 607-324-1138 or 607-936-0941, or email rrussell@fiasteuben.org.

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.

Painted Post Food Pantry: The pantry is seeking a volunteer to be its corresponding secretary. For more information, please call Lynn at (607) 962-7859. (2022)

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.

NET Domestic Violence Shelter: Needs the following items: Shower curtains, pillows, twin sheet sets, blankets, and comforters for twin beds, pot and pan sets, dinnerware sets, and smaller bathroom waste basket sets. Call the shelter at 1-800-286-3407 to arrange to drop off items at either the shelter or at Arbor Housing and Development at 26 Bridge St. in Corning.  


If your organization has a volunteer need, please email Lois Wilson to be added to this list.