PLEASANT VALLEY – Self-employed businessman and stand-up comic Dan McRitchie emceed a comedy show in Pleasant Valley on Monday for the benefit of the Pleasant Valley Ecumenical Food Pantry. The pantry operates as a not-for-profit pantry in agency with the New York Regional Food Bank of the Hudson Valley under the tax-exempt status of the Pleasant Valley United Methodist Church with the volunteer support of three other community churches of Pleasant Valley.
“As we all know, times are tough right now,” McRitchie said. “All of the food pantries are really in need right now so we put this together to hopefully help those in need.”
The comedy show took place at one of Pleasant Valley’s newest venues, The Bar at West and Main, and featured four comics who came to town at McRitchie’s request. The establishment is normally closed on Mondays but the owners opened up to do their part to assist those in need.
The food pantry has been providing for individuals and families in need for almost 30 years and serves nearly 3,000 people annually. The pantry’s inventory includes a wide variety of packaged goods and increasing supplies of fresh produce and other healthy products. Individuals can visit the pantry every Wednesday evening between 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. at the Pleasant Valley United Methodist Church at 92 Martin Road in Pleasant Valley.
McRitchie founded the Laugh It Up Comedy Club several years ago. He has stepped back from the club for 2023 and has been focusing solely on providing comedy fundraisers for charities that he believes in. He hinted at an upcoming show in August at Darby O’Gill’s in Hyde Park and a September show at the Pirate Canoe Club in the Town of Poughkeepsie.
McRitchie owns the Pleasant Valley Agency and is a licensed insurance broker.
