Making a Difference: Dutchess Outreach and Their Annual Coat Drive

Every year, as the chill begins to set in, Dutchess Outreach steps up to ensure that the community remains warm and well-fed. This invaluable organization, founded in 1974, has grown to be a cornerstone in providing healthy and nutritionally dense food, as well as other essential services, to those in need.

Dutchess Outreach and the Importance of Community Support

At the heart of Dutchess Outreach’s mission is its food distribution effort. Nyhisha Gibbs, the Director of Community Engagement, shares, “We distribute between 8,000 and 13,000 pounds of food every month.” These farm stands, funded generously by assembly member Didi Barrett, are a testament to the community's spirit of giving and resilience. The farm stands operate on the second and fourth Thursdays at the Poughkeepsie Galleria and on the third Friday at 272 Main Street. Importantly, there are no eligibility requirements to access this service, anyone in need is welcome.

In addition to food assistance, Dutchess Outreach hosts an annual coat drive, a beacon of warmth during the colder months. Robin Tannenbaum, a devoted volunteer at Dutchess Outreach, highlights the importance of the coat drive: “We collect coats from many different places all over the county, sort them, and then distribute them. Schools, social service agencies, and religious organizations can place orders for people in need.”

Contributions and How to Get Involved

While the coat drive is a large operation, sorting through and distributing thousands of coats, it depends heavily on volunteers. Last year, they sorted approximately 5,000 coats with the help of about 67 volunteers. Robin Tannenbaum notes, “We especially need boys’ coats, men’s coats, and plus sizes for both men and women,” reflecting the ongoing demand for specific types of donations.

Dutchess Outreach’s efforts are not just about clothing and food; they are about kindness and community connection. As Nyhisha passionately states, “It runs in my blood...My mother...did everything in our community. I grew up in Brooklyn, East New York, and she was a Girl Scout leader, a double Dutch coach, and ran a boys club, all those things give back to the youth.”

How to Help

The organization is always on the lookout for more volunteers and donations. To learn more about the coat drive or to get involved, visit their website at dutchessoutreach.org and click on the events tab to find the Susan Dele Memorial Coat Drive. For those interested in volunteering, the site provides a straightforward process under the volunteer section.

In times where community support is more crucial than ever, Dutchess Outreach proves that with organization, dedication, and a generous spirit, people can come together to make a lasting impact.

Listen to the full interview: https://open.spotify.com/episode/59iMdsaepjt92Mh9EhquJc?si=rYPShWDBSyuZJOzDD1RfFg