Longtime CAP volunteers Lois and Dan Chanofsky of Mahopac
sort bags of goodies
BREWSTER – The generosity of Putnam residents abounds this week and because of the bighearted more than 300 families who otherwise might have celebrated Thanksgiving with a peanut butter and jelly sandwich will be sitting down to a full course turkey dinner thanks to the efforts of the Putnam Community Action Program (CAP).
Baskets from CAP headquarters in Brewster were distributed to those in need—many at no fault of their own—without the wherewithal to purchase traditional holiday fare.
CAP Executive Director Judy Callahan, with tears in her eyes, thanked residents of the county for their generosity: “People in Putnam are so incredible. They give regularly and are so astounding.”
During a visit to CAP headquarters Monday, Callahan praised the “dozens and dozens of CAP volunteers for their dedication. These men and women are the real heroes since they collect, sort, bag and box the delectable items for distribution.”
For 40 of the families receiving the holiday fare, a special treat was contained. County Executive Mary Ellen Odell reported Monday afternoon that 40 pumpkin pies had been baked by students enrolled in the BOCES Culinary Arts program at the Tilly Foster Farm from pumpkins cultivated at the farm. “Talk about a win-win,” said the executive.
A single mom from Putnam Lake stopped by to gather her holiday fare.
“What can I say? Without CAP’s help, Thanksgiving would have been a down day for my four children and me. Now we will have a wonderful feast. Thank you Putnam County,” she said.
Another woman was also thankful for CAP: “My kids and I live on a tight budget each week. This wonderful basket will help us have a special meal on Thanksgiving.”
