Our Community Impact
Daily Community Impact
We understand that choosing where to shop makes a real difference. When you support local businesses, a greater share of your money stays within our community and has direct impact our local economy. Local businesses often prioritize purchasing from other local suppliers, hiring local talent, and utilizing local services. This creates a positive “multiplier effect,” where each dollar spent generates further economic growth within our region.
Conversely, when shopping at national chains, a significant portion of the profits typically flows out of the local area to corporate headquarters elsewhere.
That’s why FingerLakes Farms is deeply committed to connecting our community with local farmers and their products. We believe in the power of sourcing directly from our region’s farms, ensuring we deliver only the highest quality ingredients, and contributing to the nutritional impact on our local communities. By choosing FingerLakes Farms, you’re not only supporting our hardworking local farmers but also enjoying the freshest, most flavorful food that New York State has to offer.
Giving Back
Beyond our daily commitment to positive social & nutritional impact, we’re proud to collaborate with numerous local community organizations. These partnerships allow us to contribute directly to the well-being of our community. We aim to increase access to fresh, healthy food for everyone, with a focus on supporting underserved populations. Additionally, we work alongside organizations dedicated to enhancing the health, development, and long-term sustainability of our area. Ultimately, our shared goal is to strengthen our local community. Below, in no particular order, are some of the remarkable organizations we partner with, along with a brief overview of their missions and the important causes they champion!
The Seneca House of Concern is a pillar of our community, deeply committed to serving local residents. Driven by their powerful motto, “Feeding Minds With Knowledge, Stomachs With Food, and Hearts With Hope,” they provide essential support, ensuring no one faces hardship alone.
The trust our community places in them is evident in the numbers: each month, they assist an average of 450 families. Every food parcel distributed, every thrift store purchase, and every piece of donated furniture represents more than just material aid. It’s a tangible expression of hope, love, and the collective care our community shares.
Safe Harbors of the Finger Lakes, Inc. offers vital, free services to individuals, children, and families in Ontario, Seneca, and Yates Counties who have experienced sexual violence, domestic violence, child abuse, and human trafficking. Their core mission is to empower these individuals, families, and our communities by providing access to the information, support, and services they need to address their unique challenges, achieve greater safety, and reduce vulnerability. Ultimately, Safe Harbors envisions communities that are safe, informed, empowered, and free from sexual and interpersonal violence and exploitation.
Healthy Food For All (HFFA) began in 2006, a collaboration between local farmers and Cornell Cooperative Extension. In 2022, HFFA became part of Cornell’s Center for Transformative Action. Their mission is simple: to make fresh, high-quality produce accessible to low-income households in Ithaca and surrounding rural areas. They achieve this through Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) shares and valuable educational resources.
Today, HFFA provides nutritional support to over 1,500 youth and adults annually. It’s recognized as a leading program in our community, offering a model for nutritional food security that’s being adopted nationwide. HFFA’s impact goes beyond immediate food relief. Their CSA model offers a sustainable and respectful way for community members to access locally grown fruits and vegetables at affordable prices, including those using SNAP/Food Stamps. By fairly compensating farmers for their work, HFFA invests over $200,000 each year in local organic and regenerative agriculture. This investment strengthens farm viability, builds resilience, and expands our region’s capacity to grow healthy, sustainable food for everyone.
Finally, HFFA’s farmers are dedicated environmental stewards. They use organic, biodynamic, and regenerative practices, which promote healthy soil, protect water quality, reduce greenhouse gases, and restore ecosystems. These methods ensure both a bountiful harvest and a healthier planet for our community.
The Seneca County Suicide Prevention Coalition (SCSPC) was formed in 2017 with a clear goal: to unite our community’s efforts in improving mental health and raising suicide prevention awareness. For several years, the SCSPC partnered with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) to host the Out of the Darkness Walk.
However, in 2023, recognizing the consistently high rates of suicide attempts and fatalities among Seneca County youth and adults, the SCSPC made a crucial decision. They chose to host their own fundraising walk, ensuring that local donations stay local – within Seneca County.
The funds raised will directly support our community through community trainings, purchasing of educational materials, maintenance of support groups, and other essential outreach programs.
The PBA Trooper is the official publication of the PBA. Its purpose is to promote and encourage professionalism among members of the NYS Police, and to offer financial and other support to organizations like the PBA the represent the New York State Troopers. The advertising revenues generated are shared between the NYST Benefit Fund and the Trooper publications-as well as funding for the publication and distribution of the PBA Trooper. The NYST Beefit Fund’s share is used to serve the PBA’s membership, which can be used to pay for several member benefit items, including the funeral expenses of the New York State Troopers killed in the line of duty.
The PBA is funded and run by State Troopers, duly registered as a New York State Not-For-Profit Corporation. The PBA delegates are working State Troopers and active membership is available to all full time sworn State Police personnel. The State Troopers PBA works hard to serve and protect its members who work hard to serve and protect you. In addition to seeking fair wages and benefits for our members, the union challenges unfair and unproductive working conditions. Since danger is inherent in the duties of Troopers, the PBA makes it a priority to monitor safety conditions and equipment such as patrol cars, portable radios and bulletproof vests and to seek better solutions for our members.
The Waterloo Library and Historical Society offers a comprehensive library and historical experience for everyone in our community. As the birthplace of Memorial Day, they are dedicated to educating the public about its origins and honoring the service and sacrifice of all American veterans. They also foster an engaging learning environment, encouraging participation and building stronger connections within the Finger Lakes region, ultimately contributing to a more positive and informed community.
The Right to Run is a celebration of the passing of the 19th amendment, which gave women the right to vote. It all began in Seneca Falls, NY when Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Mott organized the 1848 Seneca Falls Convention – the first-ever Women’s Rights Convention. This 5k race takes place through the town of Seneca Falls, highlighting the town’s rich history and landmarks, with virtual run options allowing others to join us from anywhere in the U.S.. The Right to Run serves as a powerful reminder of the long, difficult journey women traveled to obtain their right to vote. Crossing the finish line takes dedication, resilience and strength- all qualities shared with the suffragists that fought for women’s suffrage. Right to Run Inc.’s purpose is to inspire, empower, mobilize and connect women.
The Skunk Cabbage Classic is a vital event for the Finger Lakes Runners Club, and made possible by the dedication of their volunteers. This 10K and Half Marathon brings together hundreds of runners to celebrate the arrival of spring. The race begins at Barton Hall on the Cornell campus and winds through the beautiful, awakening countryside. If you’re lucky, you might even spot the race’s namesake, the elusive skunk cabbage, as it begins to sprout.