SVHC Newsletter - February 2026
february 2026
The mission of SVHC is to cultivate local solutions and collaborative actions that advance the health and well-being of the Cortland community.
National 2-1-1 Day
Happy National 2-1-1 Day! National 2-1-1 Day, celebrated annually on February 11, recognizes the critical lifeline that 2-1-1 is in communities throughout the United States. As you drive down Main Street in Cortland this week, you'll see a "Need Help? Get Help!" banner promoting 2-1-1 in honor of the day.
This 3-digit phone number, 2-1-1, provides free, confidential, 24/7 access to call counselors who connect residents to information and make referrals to human service agencies and programs to meet their needs. While calling 2-1-1 is the most popular way to connect to the service, text, chat, and email are also available modes to connect. Residents can access resource information any time online at 211cortland.org.
Seven Valleys Health Coalition partners with Human Services Coalition of Tompkins Cortland to support 211 Tompkins/Cortland, serving residents in both Tompkins and Cortland counties. In 2025, 2-1-1 received 1,677 contacts from Cortland County residents, which resulted in 1,887 referrals to services. 2-1-1 operators schedule tax preparation appointments for the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, which account for approximately 800 contacts annually. Assistance with food, housing and transportation consistently are the next highest requested services. Agencies who want to verify that their program information is up to date in 2-1-1 should connect with SVHC.
There are only 2 days left in our Kiss the Calf Campaign and we need your help to cross the finish line! We’re not yet at our goal of $5,000, but with your support, we know we can get there by February 13.
To sweeten the deal, all donations of $100 or more will be entered into a raffle to win a delicious basket of New York State–made products. Think local maple syrup, jams, honey, pancake mix, cheeses, and more!
Best of all, every dollar you give, at any amount, directly supports our mission to address food insecurity and increase access to healthy foods for all. Thank you for helping us make a lasting impact in our community.
Check out an interview on WXHC with SVHC Assistant Director Anna Wells and 2026 Calf Kisser Mike Eves on the campaign!
"Lessons in a Lunch Box" Oral Health Programs
February is Children's Dental Health Month. To promote oral health education, SVHC partnered with the New York State Dental Foundation and JM Murray to bring "Lessons in a Lunch Box: Healthy Teeth Essentials & Facts about Snacks" curriculum to local schools. This nationally acclaimed dental health program provides students with their own educational lunch box filled with oral health supplies, including a toothbrush, toothpaste and floss.
The curriculum was presented to 2nd and 3rd graders at Cincinnatus Elementary School, Barry Primary School, and McGraw Elementary by a NYS Dental Association educator. Mighty Molar, SVHC's mascot for oral health, along with Chompers, JM Murray's dinosaur mascot, made special appearances at the three schools to greet the kids!
New Truck for Seven Valleys Food Rescue
Picking up food donations or hauling a pallet of food just got easier for Seven Valleys Food Rescue! SVFR purchased a Ram pick up truck with the help of a Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Food Relief Equipment Grant. If you see us out and about in the community, be sure to give us a friendly honk and wave!
2026 Free Food Giveaways
With new additional funding through Nourish NY and the Hunger Prevention and Nutrition Assistance Program (HPNAP), Seven Valleys Food Rescue will have the ability to double the amount of food purchased in 2026 and expand our work to address food insecurity. We're planning on monthly free food distributions beginning in March from the hub, 174 Homer Ave, Cortland. Future dates will be posted on our Facebook and Instagram pages, added to the events page on the SVHC website, and added to the food pantry list on 211cortland.org.
2026 Cortland Counts Community Forum
Registration continues for the 2026 Cortland Counts Community Forum, held on Friday, March 13, 2026, from 9 AM to 3 PM at the Cortland Repertory Theatre Downtown. This no-cost, one-day forum brings together stakeholders across sectors to discuss health and well-being in Cortland County. The final schedule is taking shape and will be on the Cortland Counts website ahead of the forum. We'll have speakers, sessions and panels on topics ranging from economic development, health data, housing, food insecurity, health care access, and specific programs making an impact here in Cortland.
To allow us to accurately plan for meals and materials, please register by March 5.
Event Sponsorship
To keep the forum accessible, registration for attendees will be free. We continue to seek breakfast and lunch sponsors -- or choose to sponsor at the level that feels right for your organization. Review the sponsorship levels at the link below and connect with SVHC to become a sponsor.
Thank You to Kate Downes and nEW STAFF CONTACTS
Kate Downes, Program Manager, accepted a new position with the Central New York Community Foundation. Her last day with Seven Valleys Health Coalition was January 16. Kate managed The Doula Partnership in Cortland County as well as coordinated the Produce Prescription program and the Homer Regional Farmer's market. We thank Kate for all her work with SVHC and wish her the best in her new position!
Grace Sterling, Social Care Navigator at SVHC, will assume coordination of the doula program and SVHC's participation in the Breastfeeding Partnership. Prospective clients in search of a doula can find more information on The Doula Partnership website or email grace@sevenvalleyshealth.org. Grace will continue to serve transportation clients in the Medicaid 1115 waiver program.
Hannah Gibbons-Arthur, Project Coordinator at SVHC, will take on the additional role of Market Manager for the Homer Regional Farmer's Market. Hannah will continue to support food rescue efforts and food distributions with Seven Valleys Food Rescue. Hannah can be reached at hannah@sevenvalleyshealth.org.
The Produce Prescription program will be paused for 2026 due to funding and programmatic restrictions. We continue to support those in need of fresh produce through food giveaways at the SVFR hub (see above for more info) and through food box deliveries, medically tailored meals, and food vouchers for eligible Medicaid members through the Medicaid 1115 waiver.
Connect with Us
Our mission is to cultivate local solutions and collaborative actions that advance the health and well-being of the Cortland community.
Seven Valleys Health Coalition
10 Kennedy Parkway
Cortland, NY 13045
Phone: (607) 756-4198
Fax: (607) 344-0048