Foodstock Fund provides much needed assistance to Dutchess Outreach

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Ryan Michael on the left and Lorenzo Angelino on the right present a check to Todd Bender.

POUGHKEEPSIE – Dutchess Outreach, the Poughkeepsie non-profit that assists those in need, received a much-needed contribution of more than $3,000 from the Foodstock Fund recently.

With the COVID-19 pandemic, Dutchess Outreach took precaution by temporarily ceasing to accept donations of non-perishable food items from the public.  Associate Director Tara Whalen called the decision a “good idea” that is intended to prevent the spread of the virus.  Whalen also indicated that it has placed an enormous financial burden on the agency.  “Without donations, we have had to purchase an increased amount of food from the Food Bank of the Hudson Valley which we hadn’t budgeted for because we weren’t expecting a pandemic.”  “This donation from the Foodstock Fund couldn’t have come at a better time.”

The Foodstock Fund typically holds two events a year to help Dutchess Outreach.  The first is a comedy show, called Laughingstock, typically held in the springtime.  As part of that show, Angelino and Michael usually present the proceeds of the Foodstock concert, held during the winter, to Dutchess Outreach.  “We know that Dutchess Outreach has been serving substantially more people from their pantry and we needed to get funds to them right away,” said Ryan Michael.

A ceremonial check presentation, including social-distancing, took place on Market Street last week when Ryan Michael and Lorenzo Angelino presented Dutchess Outreach board member Todd Bender with the check that will be used to re-stock the food pantry.

The Foodstock Fund was started more than a decade ago to raise money for Hurricane Katrina victims.  In changing with the times, the organization has focused on providing assistance to Dutchess Outreach and the Children’s Home of Poughkeepsie.

To learn more about Dutchess Outreach or make a donation, visit http://dutchessoutreach.org/.




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