RED HOOK – Volunteer organization Red Hook Responds delivered 8,955 meals free of charge to Red Hook and Rhinebeck residents in need in 2022, serving an average of 25 meals per day.
Founded in April 2020 by Daniel Budd and Chris Donohue in response to the pandemic, Red Hook Responds is beginning 2023 with the highest level of community need they’ve seen since the early days of the pandemic.
“Nobody wants to be in the situation of being hungry, of not being able to cook for themselves or not having a dinner for a child. When someone is, they should be able to ask for help and receive it,” said Budd. “To continue our mission we need steady volunteerism and resources. Without either of these, all the magic will come to a halt.”
In addition to meal delivery, in 2022 the group’s volunteers delivered more than 80 food pantry bags, made 220 grocery and pharmacy deliveries, planted hundreds of vegetable plants at recipients’ homes and shared thousands of pounds of locally grown produce through their food exchange. All this is possible with the efforts of over 100 active volunteers.
Residents can request assistance, sign up to volunteer, or donate to Red Hook Responds at redhookresponds.org or by calling their helpline at (845) 640-4788. As little as $3 can help the group serve a meal to a person in need.
