SVHC Newsletter - September 2026

SEPTEMBER 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 awarded creating healthy schools and communities grant

Big news! SVHC was just awarded a $1.6 million, 5-year Creating Healthy Schools and Communities (CHSC) grant from the New York State Department of Health. This is an initiative in New York to establish and support sustainable healthy communities as places where it is easier to practice healthy behaviors.

Starting this fall, SVHC will collaborate with the Cortland Enlarged City School District, the Child Development Council, the Cortland County Health Department, and other community partners to improve physical activity and healthy nutrition environments in K-12 schools, early education settings, and the greater Cortland community.

During the grant's first year, SVHC will be working to develop a framework and action plan to be implemented through the rest of the grant period. So stay tuned—we can't wait to get started!

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!

Central new york medicaid convening

On Tuesday, July 28, SVHC co-hosted a Central New York Convening in Syracuse, NY, sponsored by the Health Foundation for Western and Central New York, around the changes coming to Medicaid over the next several months from the federal legislation H.R. 1.

The convening brought together 180+ participants from over 90+ organizations across 7 counties. Participants learned about additional work requirements for Medicaid eligibility and changes to the reauthorization process, engaged in facilitated topic-based breakout discussions focused on key populations, and developed strategies for supporting Central New Yorkers through these changes.

By bringing together community leaders from multiple sectors, this convening fostered shared learning, strengthened relationships, and laid the foundation for a coordinated, community-wide response that no single organization could accomplish alone.

An action item from the convening was to bring together county-level working groups to coordinate communication and support. SVHC is organizing Cortland County leaders in September to continue these important discussions and to support community members, ensuring they retain health coverage or are referred to needed resources.

Monthly Free Food Giveaways: Back on!

SVFR is excited to share that thanks to additional funding from the New York State Department of Health, we are able to continue offering free food giveaways for the remainder of 2026. That means that we will see you September!

Mark your calendar for Wednesday, September 23 from 2 to 6pm at 174 Homer Ave, Cortland. As always, all community members are welcome to attend and receive a distribution of staple pantry items, produce and dairy at no cost! Bring your own bags if you can.

NEW SVHC Staff member: Eva Slover

SVHC welcomes Eva Slover to our team as a Social Care Navigator!

As a passionate advocate for equitable access to health, safety, and nutrition, Eva was drawn to SVHC through the community driven work that delivers its core mission.

Now that she serves as a Social Care Navigator, Eva is happy to orient new and existing members to the available life-enhancing services that they are eligible to receive. This motivates her to continuously learn about current issues in healthcare, transportation, and housing.

In her free time, Eva enjoys hiking the beautiful trails along the majestic gorges and cascades at New York State Parks!

Welcome Eva!

September Food Sense menu

Want to know what you can get in a Food Sense package this month for just $20.50? Check out September's menu! Family-sized specials can also be ordered individually.

Cash and check payments are due next Thursday, September 10.

Online payments are due the following Monday, September 14.

Once you have placed and paid for your September order, Pick-Up Day will take place Thursday, September 24 from 1:30 to 3:30pm at 174 Homer Ave in Cortland, NY.

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

This Month In Pictures

SVHC had plenty to do in the community this past month: supporting the logistics for the week-long 2026 Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training, tabling at the Community Beach Party, hosting our August Free Food Giveaway, and holding our first Food Sense pick-up at the Food Rescue Hub, where we distributed Food Sense packages for August!