My name is Tonie Welch. I hold an A.A.S. in Human Services and am a senior in my Bachelor of Social Work program. During my Human Services practicum, I worked at a food bank, and that experience inspired me to start The People’s Pantry of the Southern Tier, a grassroots pantry in Elmira, NY providing free food and essentials to neighbors in need.

Our pantry is now incorporated as a New York not-for-profit corporation and has an EIN. The next step is applying for federal 501(c)(3) status so donations can be tax-deductible and we can qualify for grants and food-bank partnerships. The 275-dollar IRS fee, New York charitable registration, and basic startup costs (bank fees, printing, outreach materials) are a big hurdle for a small, volunteer-run project. Your gift will help cover these one-time costs so future donations can go directly to food and supplies.

Every dollar helps. Even 5–10 dollars moves us closer to full nonprofit status and more stable food support for families in the Southern Tier. If you can’t give, sharing this campaign is also a huge help. Thank you for supporting community-based food security work and helping The People’s Pantry of the Southern Tier take this next step.