Dutchess Outreach Inc

DUTCHESS OUTREACH ACTS AS A CATALYST FOR COMMUNITY REVITALIZATION AND EXISTS IN DUTCHESS COUNTY AS AN ADVOCATE AND PROVIDER OF HUNGER AND RELIEF SERVICES IN ORDER TO ENSURE THAT EVERYONE, REGARDLESS OF INCOME, HAS ACCESS TO FRESH, HEALTHY FOOD, AND THE SUPPORT THEY NEED.

THE LUNCH BOX PROVIDES HOT MIDDAY MEALS SIX DAYS A WEEK TO HUNDREDS OF COMMUNITY MEMBERS EACH YEAR. EVENING MEALS ARE ALSO SERVED BETWEEN 12 AND 15 TIMES A MONTH. DURING THE FISCAL YEAR 2021-2022, THE LUNCH BOX SERVED: 47,320 FREE MIDDAY MEALS AND 26,271 EVENING MEALS TO 3,066 PEOPLE; AND 6,300 MEALS TO CHILDREN IN AN AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAM. THE LUNCH BOX IS OPEN SIX DAYS A WEEK FROM SUNDAY TO FRIDAY. EMERGENCY FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE/ADVOCACY & REFERRAL PROGRAM: DUTCHESS OUTREACH WORKS ON A CASE BY CASE BASIS WITH FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE FACING DIFFERENT KINDS OF EMERGENCIES IN THEIR LIVES. DURING THE FISCAL YEAR 2021-2022, THE ORGANIZATION WAS ABLE TO HELP 35 PEOPLE PURCHASE NEEDED PRESCRIPTION MEDICATION. THROUGH EITHER FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AND/OR EFFECTIVE ADVOCACY AND REFERRAL, THE ORGANIZATION WAS ABLE TO PREVENT THE EVICTION OF 3 HOUSEHOLD AND MAINTAIN UTILITY AND/OR HEATING SERVICE FOR 52 HOUSEHOLDS. THE CHILDREN'S CLOTHES CLOSET PROVIDED 769 CHILDREN WITH FREE USED CLOTHING FOR THEIR CHILDREN. THE ANNUAL COAT DRIVE/GIVEAWAY COLLECTED OVER 5,000 COATS AND 3,000 ACCESSORIES, DISTRIBUTED THROUGH SITES IN SURROUNDING TOWNS. ACTS OF KINDNESS (AOK) WORKS WITH HUMAN SERVICES AGENCIES TO PROVIDE CLIENTS WITH HOUSEHOLD ITEMS THAT THEY CANNOT AFFORD TO PURCHASE ON THEIR OWN. DUTCHESS OUTREACH OPERATES A MOBILE FARMERS' MARKET, THE DUTCHESS OUTREACH FRESH MARKET. THE MARKET SELLS LOCALLY GROWN IN AREAS OF THE CITY OF POUGHKEEPSIE THAT HAVE LIMITED ACCESS TO FRESH FOODS. DURING THE FISCAL YEAR 2021-2022, WE AFFORDED 21,232 LBS OF LOCALLY GROWN, FRESH PRODUCE TO FOLKS. 25% OF THE REVENUE WE GENERATED THIS SEASON ON THE MARKET CAME FROM PUBLIC BENEFIT ASSISTANCE DOLLARS, SPECIFICALLY FARMERS MARKET NUTRITION PROGRAM CHECKS FROM SENIORS AND MOTHERS WITH INFANT CHILDREN. THE FARM STAND IS ANOTHER POINT OF ACCESS TO HEALTHY FOODS. THE FARM STAND OPERATES ONE FRIDAY A MONTH AND DISTRIBUTES AN AVERAGE OF 4,000 LBS OF FRUITS AND VEGETABLES TO AROUND 250 PEOPLE AT A TIME. IN FISCAL YEAR 2021- 2022, THE FARM STAND DISTRIBUTED 48,408 LBS OF PRODUCE TO 3,000 PEOPLE WITH THE HELP OF OVER 205 VOLUNTEERS

THE BEVERLY H. CLOSS FOOD PANTRY PROVIDES RESIDENTS OF DUTCHESS COUNTY IN NEED WITH UP TO A THREE-DAY SUPPLY OF EMERGENCY FOOD. DURING THE FISCAL YEAR 2021-2022, THE FOOD PANTRY PROVIDED 123,690 MEALS FOR 12,595 PEOPLE INCLUDING 4,608 CHILDREN.