ELMIRA, NY – In collaboration with the Elmira Pioneers, Catholic Charities is inviting the community to come out to Dunn Field on July 19^th for an enjoyable evening of baseball, while Catholic Charities brings to light how our community can become aware of and combat domestic violence.

Families in every community in the United States across age, gender, ethnicity, and socio-economic backgrounds are impacted by domestic violence. In Chemung and Schuyler Counties, Catholic Charities’ First Step Victim Services Program assists innocent victims of crime, with a strong focus on victims of domestic violence. In 2024, First Step served almost 177 individuals with over 4,600 services. First Step’s local 24-hour hotline can be reached by calling or texting 607-742-9629 at any time.

At the Pioneers game on July 19^th, attendees are encouraged to wear purple, the color of domestic violence awareness. There will be purple shirts for sale, as well as face painting and a 50/50 raffle. All proceeds will help the First Step program continue to provide needed services to victims in our community. Call 607-734-2690 for your tickets. The game starts at 6:35 pm with gates opening at 5:35 pm. There will be giveaways for the whole family.

For more information on First Step, please visit the Catholic Charities website at www.CatholicCharitiesCS.org or call 607-535-2050 and speak with an Advocate.

Catholic Charities of Chemung/Schuyler is proud to join the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in observing Fair Housing Month this April, commemorating 57 years since the Fair Housing Act was signed into law.

This year’s theme, Fostering Secure and Diverse Communities, highlights the ongoing commitment to advancing equity in housing, combating discrimination, and protecting fair housing rights for all Americans. The Fair Housing Act remains a landmark civil rights law that guarantees the right to housing free from discrimination.

Catholic Charities Housing Counseling Services Fair Housing Year-Round:
• First-Time Homebuyer Opportunities: Learn more about first-time homebuyer programs in the City of Elmira with HUD-certified Housing Counselors.
• Financial Fitness Program: Reset household financial priorities with guidance from financial fitness counselors.
• Foreclosure Prevention: If you are behind on mortgage payments, foreclosure prevention counselors can help you explore options to preserve your home and assets.

Fair Housing Special Event:
• Date: Wednesday, April 23
• Time: 5:30 PM
• Location: 215 East Church Street, Elmira, NY
• Presentation: Fair Housing in our Region by Christy Bishop, Fair Housing Testing Coordinator for LAWNY
• RSVP: Kathy Healy

Catholic Charities of Chemung/Schuyler is dedicated to fostering fair housing and supporting our community year-round. For more information, please contact our Housing Counseling Services at 607-734-9784.

ELMIRA, NY – Catholic Charities is thrilled to announce the success of the 20th Empty Bowls Luncheon, that was held on Tuesday, March 25, 2025, at Notre Dame High School. This year’s event, the largest fundraiser for The Samaritan Center, raised over $30,000 to support local poverty relief efforts. Over the past nineteen years, the Empty Bowls Luncheon has raised over $382,000, making a significant impact on our community.

Generous sponsorship from The Hilliard Corporation, Excellus BCBS, Chemung Canal Trust Company, Kennedy Valve, Visions Federal Credit Union, Wegmans and other local sponsors helped make this year’s event possible. The Empty Bowls Luncheon is unique, featuring handmade, commemorative bowls created by local potters. Guests also enjoyed delicious homemade soup provided by Barb & Mark McClure, owners of Barb’s Soup’s On Cafe in Elmira.

The Empty Bowls Luncheon featured delicious soup, a brief presentation, raffles, and an award presentation. The Longwell-McClure Award is named after Chris Longwell, Associate Professor of Art at Elmira College, and Barb and Mark McClure, Owners of Barb’s Soup’s On. As the first recipients of the award, Catholic Charities honored Chris as an individual who had supported Catholic Charities as well as the McClure’s as a business that had supported in unique and impactful ways over the years.

Professor Longwell has been making bowls for this luncheon for the last 20 years and was instrumental in starting this fundraising event at Elmira College, where it was held until 2022, when the event moved to Notre Dame. The McClures have been providing soup for this luncheon since the beginning, even providing to-go soup during the virtual Empty Bowls that was held due to COVID.

As a tribute to Professor Longwell and the McClures, Marta Santiago and The Hilliard Corporation were recognized for their dedication to our community.

Beautiful bowls were created and donated by the following:

• 171 Cedar Arts Center, Amanda Warren
• Gene Carr, Retired
• Corning-Painted Post High School Students and Megan Wukovitz
• David Webster’s Pottery
• Elmira College Students and Chris Longwell
• Elmira High School Students and Dianna Jones
• Doug Holtgrewe, Retired
• Horseheads High School Students and Cynthia Cratsley
• Loaves and Fishes, Mary Webber
• Notre Dame High School Students and Susan LaVelle
• Mary Purdy
• The Heart Studio, Bethany Conway
• Watkins Glen High School Students and Dawn Coleman

Notre Dame students assisted with setting up for the event as well as serving during the event. It was a perfect blend of excellent food, beautiful bowls, a worthy cause, and most importantly, our generous partners in our mission.

The Samaritan Center operates a food pantry five days a week, providing food, personal hygiene items, diapers, and wipes. Volunteers serve guests daily. If you’re interested in volunteering, please visit the Catholic Charities website to sign up. If you would like to donate to help Catholic Charities meet their fundraising goal, you may visit their website.

About Catholic Charities of Chemung/Schuyler:
Catholic Charities provides support to individuals and families in our community to help them live a more self-reliant life. They specialize in emergency services and housing support. For more information on services, please visit www.CatholicCharitiesCS.org or call 607-734-9784.