ALBANY, N.Y. (WENY) – Thursday, New York State Senator Tom O’Mara honored Natasha Thompson, the President and CEO of the Food Bank of the Southern Tier, as a 2021 New York State Senate Woman of Distinction.

Every year, the state senate holds the Women of Distinction program. The celebration allows state senators to select one honoree from their respective legislative districts to be celebrated for their “significant accomplishments, service, and contributions to the quality of life within and beyond their communities”. Before COVID-19, honorees were recognized at an in-person awards ceremony at the Legislative Office Building in Albany. Last year and this year, the honorees were celebrated through a virtual tribute.

Senator O’Mara said, “Natasha Thompson represents a remarkable commitment to our communities that highlights her recognition this year as a New York State ‘Woman of Distinction.’ For more than two decades, she has remained devoted to a life’s work of serving those in need throughout the Southern Tier region and I am proud to pay this tribute to her contributions as a leader and a tireless advocate.  Natasha’s trademark optimism, selflessness, and unwavering belief in the Food Bank’s mission have always stood out for so many of us, but her leadership guiding the work of the Food Bank throughout the COVID-19 pandemic has been an inspiring lifeline and an undeniable foundation of hope for residents and families across this region.  I am truly pleased this year, on behalf of the 58th Senate District, to be able to extend this well-deserved and well-earned tribute of appreciation, gratitude, and respect.  Thank you, Natasha.”

Thompson first joined the Food Bank in 2001 and has served as President and CEO since 2008. She first began her career as an AmericorpsVISTA volunteer at the Rhode Island Community Food Bank in 1997.

Thompson was also honored for her work during the COVID-19 pandemic, when the Food Bank saw an unprecedented increase in demand as more people were facing financial hardship. By the end of 2020, the Food Bank had distributed 17.6 million pounds of food, a 40% increase compared to 2019.

In 2017, the Food Bank was recognized with Feeding America’s “Food Bank of the Year” award.