MOUNT KISCO- Westchester nonprofit Hillside Food Outreach recently welcomed golfers from across the region for the 5th Annual Hillside Golf Classic at Richter Park Golf Course in Danbury, CT. The event raised $30,000 to support Hillside’s fight against food insecurity and positively impact the health and wellness of thousands throughout Westchester, Putnam, and Fairfield Counties.
Hillside Food Outreach delivers highly nutritious groceries free of charge twice per month to more than 2,000 low-income and limited mobility individuals. Its clients include elderly residents who lack transportation and who are unable to carry heavy grocery bags, veterans, people who are housebound due to disability, and patients suffering from chronic illnesses who require healthy diets.
“The show of support from our community and sponsors has been incredible,” said Hillside Food Outreach CEO and Founder Kathy Purdy. “The funds raised at our Golf Classic will go a long way in helping us meet the growing needs of our clients, ensuring that more individuals and families have access to the nutritious food they desperately need. We are deeply grateful to everyone who participated.”
The 5th Annual Golf Classic Committee was chaired by Shelly Hardie with members Debbie Burke, Tom Burke, Jen Cristos, Laura Gill, Alex McCallum, Kathy Purdy, Jen Della Ruffa, and Jason Wyatt. The event gained major support from the following corporate sponsors:
Hole-in-One: Union Savings Bank
Golf Cart: Service Stars and PKF O’Connor Davies
Putting Green: United Rentals and Grade A Markets
According to a recent study by the New York State Department of Health, food insecurity is rising sharply, with approximately one in four adults (24.9 percent) in the state facing the threat of hunger. This leads to malnutrition and increases the risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, asthma, and cancer. The unfortunate situation in New York mirrors a national issue, as more than 17 million American households struggled with food insecurity in 2022, marking the largest annual increase since the 2008 economic crisis.
These troubling trends coincide with an increase in demand for Hillside Food Outreach services that the organization struggles to meet. Hillside relies heavily on donations and its network of more than 300 volunteers to transport nutritious foods to hungry homes, but even with a robust volunteer base it’s a challenge, and more volunteers and donations are always needed. Hillside Food Outreach has a waitlist that exceeds more than 100 households, and every day, the organization receives additional pleas for help.
Hillside Food Outreach is headquartered in Mount Kisco, N.Y. and operates in Fairfield County through its Danbury, CT satellite location. They may be reached at 914-747-0095 or by visiting hillsidefoodoutreach.org.
