Southern Tier Library System Archived Events
Public libraries of Allegany, Chemung, Schuyler, Steuben, and Yates Counties
Below are libraries in the Southern Tier Library System that participated in past instances of The Great Give Back! Return to the previous page for information about what libraries will be participating in this year’s GGB. Please contact libraries directly for questions regarding offered programming.
2023
Collecting for the SPCS
October 1st-20th
All ages
The SPCA helps so many lost and unwanted animals to find their furever home. We are ‘giving back’ by hosting a collection of supplies that the SPCA can use as they do their work. Collecting items until October 20.
No registration required
Socktober
September 22nd – October 21st
All ages
The Alfred Box of Books Library is collecting new packaged socks to donate to the Genesis House of Olean. Socks must be brand new and in unopened packaging. Socks in all sizes (men, women and children) are accepted. The Genesis House of Olean provides secure, temporary housing and supportive services for homeless families and adults.
No registration required
Almond 20th Century Club Library
Food Drive
October 1st-31st
All ages
Almond Library is collecting non-perishable food items throughout the month of October to donate to a local food pantry!
No registration required
Domestic Violence Shelter Donation
September 1st-30th
All ages
We are collecting items to help ACCORD’s Domestic Violence Shelter. New items only please. Clothing and personal items needed for women and children.
No registration required
Halloween Costume Drive and Giveaway
September 11th – October 28th
Kids and Teens
The Belfast Public Library is collecting new or gently used Halloween costumes and accessories for our costume drive and giveaway. Accepting donations right up until Oct 28th. Giveaway will take place Oct. 21st-28th during open hours.
No registration required, this is on a first come, first served basis while supplies last.
Great Give Back for the Animals of the Finger Lakes SPCA, Bath, NY
October 2nd-21st from 11:00am-1:00pm
All ages
The Benedek Memorial Library will be doing a pet food and supplies drive for the Finger Lakes SPCA, Bath, NY. Please drop off pet supplies at the library in the Mary Helen Joint Meeting House, the corner of Main St. and McCoy St. Savona, NY during library hours. Check out website https://benedekmemoriallibrary.org for father details.
No registration required
Chemung County Library District Big Flats Branch
The Great Give Back Food and Supplies
October 16th-20th from 12:00-5:00pm
All ages
The Big Flats Library will be accepting food donations and various pantry, personal care(new & unopened), cleaning & laundry, paper products, clothing & personal items the week of 10/16/23-10/20/23. Donations will support the Food Bank of the Southern Tier and Catholic Charities of Chemung County.
No registration required
Winter Clothing Drive
September 25th – October 14th
Donation Drop-Off locations will be available on www.cohoctonpubliclibrary.org. The clothing giveaway will take place at the Cohocton Public Library.
All ages
This year the Cohocton Public Library will be hosting a winter clothing drive. We will be collecting new or lightly used winter clothing items including coats, jackets, hats, scarves, and gloves. Please be sure clothing is free of rips and stains and that all zipper are in working condition. Donations will be collected at the library as well as other drop-off locations from September 25th through October 11th. On October 13th and 14th the donated clothes will be available for giveaway at the library. Any community member is welcome to take what is needed.
No registration required
Drive for Domestic Violence Shelter
September 1st – October 31st
All ages
The Cuba Circulating Library is gathering donations for the Accord Corporation Domestic Violence Shelter. We are accepting personal care items such as toothpaste, toothbrushes, mouthwash, floss, razors, shaving cream, deodorant, shampoo, conditioner, body wash, lotion, hairbrushes, combs, and hairspray. We are also accepting clothing donations such as Pjs, T-shirts, leggings, underwear, and sports bras. Sizes needed range from newborn to adult xxl. Thank you!
No registration required
Stock the Salvation Army
October 7th-21st from 11:00am-1:00pm
All ages
We are kicking off this year’s Great Give Back effort by tying it with our Annual Fall Fest. We will have a bounce house for kids to enjoy if they bring a shelf stable item to donate to our local Salvation Army Food Pantry. Our Fall Fest is a two hour, outdoor celebration of all things Fall for patrons of all ages to enjoy. We will continue to collect food donations during open hours at our library through October 21st.
No registration required
Winter Clothing Donation
October 2nd-21st
All ages
Donate slightly used winter clothing of all sizes including mittens, scarves, hats, boots, coats. Drop off at the library during open hours beginning on October 2 until October 21. Donations will be given to Our Town ROCKS for distribution.
No registration required
Composting Workshop
October 20th from 4:30-6:00pm
All ages
Ever wondered how to transform kitchen scraps into nutrient-rich soil? Find out how in this workshop where participants will learn the basics of starting your own system. We’ll cover what can and can’t be composted, setting up a bin at home, and maintaining your compost to be sure it breaks down correctly. Each person will go home with a kitchen container, which can be decorated at the library.
Please register beforehand by calling the library: 607-594-2791
The Great Give Back 2023: Heartfelt Messages for Elders
October 9th-24th
All ages
Join Us for a Heartwarming Event: The Great Give Back! We invite you to be part of a truly special event as we spread joy, love, and warmth to the residents of our local nursing home. It’s time to make a difference in their lives with our “Heartfelt Messages for Elders” program!
What’s It All About? We believe in the power of small gestures that have a big impact. Join us as we gather to create beautiful, handcrafted cards filled with messages of love and encouragement. These cards will bring smiles, comfort, and a sense of connection to the wonderful individuals residing in our nursing home.For more information, contact hornellpubliclibrary@gmail.com or call 607-324-1210
Let’s make this day truly unforgettable with love, creativity, and compassion.
No registration required
Mabel D. Blodgett Memorial Library
Bridges to Brain Injury/Wildlife Rockstars (Farmington NY) needed items drive
October 1st-21st
All ages
Helping people and animals. Drop off any of these items at the library during business hours.
(Mon.3-7, Tues. 9-1, Wed. 3-7, Fri. 1-5 and Sat. 9-1.)
Gently used blankets and/ or towels, Paper Towels rolls, Bird toys and perches, Cat and/or Dog toys, newspaper, money donations. (If giving a check please make it payable to “Bridges to Brain Injury”) We will be collecting these items through Oct. 21, 2023. Then the library will take a trip to Farmington, NY and present these items to “Bridges to Brain Injury/Wildlife Rockstars”.
No registration required
Montour Falls Memorial Library
Basics of Composting Open House
October 18th from 4:00-6:30pm
Ages 18+
Together with Dutton S. Peterson Memorial Library and Watkins Glen Public Library, the Montour Falls Library will offer The Basics of Composting Open House on Wednesday, October 18th at 4pm – 6:30pm. This event is an opportunity for the public to learn what composting is, why composting is important, and the fundamentals of composting your food scraps. Cornell Cooperative Extension Environmental/Natural Resources educator Ryan Staychock will be available to help residents learn about the basics of composting. Participants can see and contrast a common compost bin that is available at retail stores with a home-made compost bin. Educational materials will be available to take home. This program encourages any participants to attend at a time convenient for them between the hours of 4:00pm and 6:30pm to ask questions and engage in friendly conversation about composting because Cornell Cooperative Extension is an equal opportunity, affirmative action educator and employer.
Registration is not required.
The Great Coat Exchange
October 3rd-31st from 11:00am-6:00pm
All ages
It’s that time of year again. Time to break out our winter gear. Have a coat that is to small? Please consider donating it at the Prattsburg Free Library for The Great Coat Exchange event. Residents in need will be able to choose one (1) coat per person.
Donated coats accepted from all. Prattsburgh residents get priority pick until October 22nd.
Stock the Food Pantry
Ongoing
All ages
We are collecting items for the Prattsburgh Food Pantry.
No registration required
The Great Give Back
September 20th – October 21st
All ages
Our project will focus on the Rushford Food Pantry, a vital program in our town. How can you help?
Please join the library in collecting nonperishable food items and toiletries through Saturday, October 21st. Donations can be dropped off at the library or at the Barefoot Quilter.
No registration required
Southeast Steuben County Library
The Great Give Back
October 2nd-21st
All ages
Collecting new (purchased or handmade) mittens, gloves, hats, and socks of all sizes for ProAction of Steuben and Yates, Inc. to distribute to the families that they serve.
No registration required
Helping Monarch Butterflies
October 24th from 3:00-4:00pm
All ages
As our Great Give Back, Elaine Smith, Executive Director of Tanglewood Nature Center, will lead you through the life of a monarch butterfly- from egg to adult and back again. We will discuss monarch migration and plantings to attract monarchs. You will also get the opportunity to learn how to grow your own butterfly from egg to adult in the Summer of 2024. This program is open to all-ages. Wrapping up the program is a Milkweed seed giveaway to grow in your own space and support Monarch populations in our area. Seeds will be on a first-come-first-serve basis.
No registration required
Compost Theatre with Lisa Fernandez
October 21st from 10:00-11:00am
Children/youth
Lisa Fernandez is a local master composter that will present a version of her Compost Theatre. This interactive program features song, dance, and education about composting for the better of the environment. This is a collaborative program with Watkins Glen Public Library, Dutton S. Peterson Memorial Library, and the Montour Falls Library.
No registration required
Large Print Books to Local Nursing Homes
October 13th from 9:00am-3:00pm
A board member is an aide at a nursing home. She stated a need for large print books for the residents.
No registration required
2022
Give Back to the Animals of Finger Lakes SPCA
October 7-16
Starting on October 7 at 6:00 pm the Benedek Memorial Library will start a pet food drive for the Fingerlakes SPCA with and event to make dog and cat toys. People can make one toy for their pet and one toy to be given to the Fingerlakes SPCA. The pet food drive will continue through the next week and during the Annual Book and Bake Sale. At the end of the event all food and toys will be taken and donated to the Fingerlakes SPCA.
All are welcome to attend. If you would like to make a toy for a dog or cat, please register for the making pet toys by email: savona@stls, call the library (607)583-4426 or stop by and let us know at the library during open hours. Registration is to make sure we have enough supplies and room for everyone. Than you.
Food Drive for the Library Pantry Table
October 15 from 10:00 am-2:00 pm
The library is collecting food staples to add to the library’s pantry table. The Library Pantry Table is open to all who need a little bit extra to see them thru the week or the month.
Chemung County Library District
Campus Clean Up
October 15 from 11:00 am-12:00 pm
Three school campuses in our village
For all ages
Community members are encouraged to come help the library Give Back to our beautiful area. Our goal this year is to help keep the school grounds free of debris! Please join us at one of the three campuses in our community! Meet at whichever school you’d like to tidy and all materials will be provided for you!
No registration required.
Community Closet
Beginning October 15
The David A. Howe Public Library will be launching a Community Closet which will house warm clothes and blankets for anyone in the community to access as needed. This program is possible through the donation of materials from the community and then redistributed at the central location of the library’s front terrace, making it accessible at all times.
No registration. Anyone is welcome to take what they need, or donate clean, good condition clothes and blankets for all ages.
Winter Coat & Ceral Box Drive
October 11-15
10:00 am-2:00 pm
Please donate gently used adult winter outer wear and unused boxes of cereal. All donations go to Catholic Charities and the cereal to their food pantry. Donations are being accepted at the library’s front desk.
Mabel D. Blodgett Memorial Library
Remembering our Rushville area Seniors and Shut-ins
October 1-15
Children and Adults come and make a lovely homemade card to area Seniors and shut-in’s to let them know we care. Also come and make a craft to give them as well. This will be held at the library. The hours will be: Sat. Oct. 1+ 8,+15: 9-1 pm, Mon. Oct. 3+10: 3-7 pm, Tues. Oct. 4 + 11: 9-1 pm, Wed. Oct. 5 + 12: 3-7 pm, Fri. Oct. 7 + 14: 3-7 pm. After these crafting days we will package all the items up and visit each recipient. No Registration needed. Recipients will be from the Rushville Area only.
Great Give Back: Domestic Violence Awareness Month
October 9-31
The Montour Falls Library is accepting donations for the Catholic Charities of Chemung and Schuyler Counites First Step Victim Services program. The First Step Victim Services program provides advocacy & referral services to all victims of crime in Chemung & Schuyler Counties, with a strong focus on victims of domestic violence or sexual abuse.
No registration. The Montour Falls Library is accepting donations all month long and will purchase gift cards for First Step domestic violence and sexual assault survivors and their families.
For more information: https://cs-cc.org/victim-services
Stock the Pulteney – Prattsburgh Food Pantry
October 1, 2022 – January 7, 2023
Help stock the local Food Pantry by donating items at the Pulteney Free Library. Collection will continue through the holidays to help families during this difficult time. The Library will post a list from the Food Pantry of needed items. No registration. Everyone is encouraged to donate what they can.
Southeast Steuben County Library
Food and Supplies for People and Pets
October 10-15
From October 10-15, the Southeast Steuben County Library in Corning will be collecting donations of food and supplies for people and pets in participation with The Great Give Back. We encourage our patrons and staff who have the means to donate, to do so.
Collected items will be distributed to three area food banks and two animal shelters.
We have created a three-dimensional “Giving Tree” in the lobby; when you have brought in items to donate, feel free to write your name on one of the paper leaves or paper apples (provided) and add it to the tree.
Giving Back to Our Communities Through the Food Bank
September 19 – October 19
The Southern Tier Library System staff are organizing a collection of Non-Perishable food for the Food Bank of the Southern Tier. Member library staff and trustees are invited to participate at the system’s annual meeting. System staff are also volunteering their time to work a shift at the Food Bank during our month-long event.
2021
Community Clean-Up
Saturday, October 16
1:30-3:00 pm
At the library & extended village streets
For all ages
Help the library give back to our beautiful community by helping to clean it up.
Meet with the Youth Department on the Front Lawn to receive a garbage bag, gloves and a map of your designated area.
This event is open to anyone in the Wellsville, NY area. We are asking that you register for this event. You can register by calling the library, emailing MillerK@stls.org, or following the link to a Google Form below.
https://forms.gle/o89ExVVQUaQPG1cF8