Cayuga Health Celebrates Ribbon Cutting of Community Cupboards at Cayuga Park in Ithaca

Tuesday afternoon, at Cayuga Park in Ithaca, the ribbon was cut for Cayuga Health’s Community Cupboards program. The program provides free, local, and farm-fresh food available to those in need. The cupboard is a partnership Cayuga Health has with the YMCA of Ithaca, who will be the stewards of the Community Cupboards, Cayuga Health says.

Another cupboard is located at the Ithaca Mall. With the growing level of those facing food insecurities, and the importance of having available fresh, healthy food options, both Cayuga Health and the YMCA of Ithaca say the cupboard joins the collaborative efforts by other organizations to ensure families do not have to face the choice of paying either utility bills or buying groceries.

Cayuga Health says to help kickstart the cupboard, a grant in the amount of $10,000 was provided by Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, which will go towards their home-delivered food boxes program. The boxes, offered as CSA shares in partnership with West Haven Farm and Fort Baptist Farm, provide fresh, locally grown food directly to individuals and families facing food insecurity.

Access to the new cupboard at Cayuga Park can be found for patients and their families on the second floor of the building.