SVHC Newsletter - July 2026

July 2026

The mission of SVHC is to cultivate local solutions and collaborative actions that advance the health and well-being of the Cortland community.

SVHC is taking over food $en$e!

Beginning in August, Seven Valleys Health Coalition will take over the coordination of the Food Sense program from Cortland Loaves and Fishes.

Food Sense, a long-running program of The Food Bank of Central New York, is a monthly food-buying co-op open to anyone looking to stretch their grocery dollars (without any income requirements or restrictions). Food Sense provides a monthly box of staple grocery items at a discounted price as well as a selection of family-sized specials.

Cortland Loaves and Fishes will have their final pick-up day on Thursday, July 30. Moving forward from there, pick-ups will take place at the Seven Valleys food hub, 174 Homer Ave in Cortland. Orders can still be placed and paid for online using debit/credit and EBT, and in-person orders and payments can be brought or mailed to the SVHC office. For phone orders, you can also call our office phone: (607) 756-4198.

You can learn more about this program below. We look forward to working with you!

Learn More About Food Sense

Program Highlight: 2-1-1

Seven Valleys Health Coalition partners with Human Services Coalition of Tompkins Cortland to offer 2-1-1, a critical community resource for residents in both Tompkins and Cortland counties.

This 3-digit phone number provides free, confidential, 24/7 access to trained call counselors who connect residents to information and make referrals to human service agencies and programs that meet their needs. Specialists are always available via text, chat, email, and most popularly, by call.

2-1-1 can make referrals for support with food, clothing, transportation, housing, healthcare, employment, and much more (depending on individual eligibility). Call counselors utilize an extensive database to look up programs that the caller may be eligible for and provide the contact information. Compiled data for 2025 shows that 1,677 Cortland County residents contacted 2-1-1, and 1,887 referrals were provided (some callers received multiple referrals).

When residents need support, but don’t know where to start, calling 2-1-1 consistently gets the ball rolling.

Learn More About 2-1-1

2-1-1 Listserv

Did you know? You can subscribe to the 2-1-1 Listserv to receive relevant updates from fellow organizations, agencies, and community leaders directly to your email.

The listserv is utilized to optimize communication among individuals with strong commitment to/concern for the well-being of their community. You may hear about local events, trainings, workshops, new community programs or changes to existing ones, and job opportunities (within nonprofits or service organizations).

The Cortland Listserv currently has 158 members, and we are eager to welcome more! If you think you could benefit from this collaborative community resource, you can sign up for free and/or learn more at the link below.

Subscribe to 2-1-1 Listserv

New SVHC Staff Member: Cloey Tierno

Seven Valleys Health Coalition just welcomed Cloey Tierno to the team, our new Administrative and Communications Coordinator!

Cloey will be the first point of contact and a general resource for anyone reaching out to SVHC, whether by phone or in-person. She will be supporting all of our programs through administrative and financial management, maintaining our presence on social media platforms, and producing our monthly newsletter.

Cloey looks forward to playing an integral role in the work that we do for the community and appreciates getting to do it in a supportive and inspired work environment.

In her free time, Cloey enjoys reading, journaling, cooking, getting outside for walks & hikes, and as a local singer/songwriter, she writes (and sometimes performs) her own music on acoustic guitar. In 2025, she released an album titled “inward” that can be found on any streaming platforms!

Welcome Cloey!

Upcoming Food Giveaway In July

Our next food giveaway is scheduled for Wed. July 22 from 2 to 6 pm at the food rescue hub, 174 Homer Ave, Cortland. There will be dairy, eggs, meat, produce, and pantry staples. Spread the word!

Please remember that we have shifted from Tuesdays to Wednesdays as well as the start time from noon to 2 pm for the summer months.

This Month In Pictures

SVHC has already been busy in the community this summer with our June Food Giveaway, hosting Poetry Slam at the Ake Gallery, and attending Pride Fest over the weekend!