SVHC Newsletter - August 2026

August 2026

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

There's Still Time to Place Your Food $en$e Order for August!

If you're interested in placing a Food Sense order for pick-up on Thursday, August 27, it isn't too late! Take a look at the August Menu below.

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.

Cash and check payments are due this Thursday, August 13.

Online payments are due Monday, August 17.

Call our office at 607-756-4198 or visit foodsense.foodbankcny.org to place an order now!

P.S. Want a sneak peek at September's menu? Check out Food Sense's most recent newsletter and get thinking about your order for September!

Check Out The September Menu

SVHC's Work In The Medicaid 1115 Waiver

SVHC has been actively supporting Medicaid members who need additional assistance with food, transportation, and housing through the Medicaid 1115 Waiver.

Our staff have heard first-hand the transformative impact the waiver has had in peoples' lives—preventing homelessness and eviction with rent assistance, providing essential nutrition with the weekly delivery of food boxes, and enabling access to grocery stores and appointments with transportation.

One success story is from someone who received food boxes and transportation from SVHC during an especially difficult period. This client and her partner ultimately ended services voluntarily because both were able to maintain tenancy and find employment.

“It was life-changing for us. There were moments we didn’t have food stamps or the ability to get to a food pantry and the only reason we were able to eat was because of the food box. The produce is always amazing and I’ve collected some of the recipe cards to have recipes on hand.”

She went on to say that she and her partner have collectively lost over 100 lbs by eating healthier foods and walking more, a lifestyle change she directly attributed to consuming healthy foods in the weekly boxes.

This client shared that when she first contacted us six months ago, “It was hard to take a deep breath and now it’s a little easier. When you’re worried about housing, food, and basic needs, you start to lose track of other things.”

As of this writing, SVHC maintains a caseload of about 65 weekly food box recipients, and 200 transportation clients. Around 50 housing referrals have been made, and nearly half of them have resulted in evictions being avoided.

Please contact us if you or someone you know needs to be screened—you may be eligible for assistance in one of these areas!

Learn More About 1115 Waiver

World Breastfeeding Week

SVHC recently celebrated World Breastfeeding Week, which means celebrating the incredible parents and families in our community who are navigating their own feeding journeys.

Breastfeeding can be beautiful, challenging, exhausting, rewarding, and everything in between. No two journeys look exactly alike, and every family deserves to feel supported, encouraged, and cared for along the way.

We are so grateful for the doulas, lactation professionals, healthcare providers, family members, and community partners who show up for parents and help remind them that they do not have to do it alone. At Seven Valleys Health Coalition, we are proud to be part of a community that continues to lift up families at every stage.

As we recognize World Breastfeeding Week, don't forget that SVHC's birth and postpartum doula services are still available to those in need of added support on their pregnancy journey. If you or a loved one are interested in what our doulas have to offer, feel free to learn more at the link below!

Learn More About The Doula Partnership

National Farmers Market Week

It was also just National Farmers Market Week, and SVHC supports the Homer Regional Farmers Market. Located on the lawn outside the Center for the Arts of Homer (72 South Main Street) this seasonal market is open from 9:30am to 12:30pm from May to October. With up to 20 participating vendors as well as live music performances, we encourage you to support your local businesses and come enjoy a summer day out on the market!

FINAL FOOD GIVEAWAY (FOR NOW)

For much of 2026, Seven Valleys Food Rescue has had the privilege of utilizing emergency Nourish New York (NNY) and Hunger Prevention and Nutrition Assistance Program (HPNAP) grant funds to provide monthly free food giveaways to our community. After August, however, these giveaways will be put on pause. There will be no giveaway held in September.

SVFR plans to bring back at least one big giveaway around the holidays to close out the year strong—so stay tuned!

For now, our final food giveaway is scheduled for Wed. August 26 from 2 to 6 pm at the Food Rescue Hub, 174 Homer Ave, Cortland. As usual, there will be dairy, eggs, meat, produce, and pantry staples. We look forward to having you!

This Month In Pictures

SVHC had another great turnout at the July Food Giveaway, tabled at the ADA Celebration to celebrate the 36th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, and partnered with Hall's Hill Blueberry Farm to host a blueberry gleaning event, where berries were picked for donation to local food pantries!