LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 40th Anniversary of Dutchess
Outreach of Poughkeepsie, New York

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize that the
quality and character of life in the communities across New York State
are reflective of the concerned and dedicated efforts of those organiza-
tions and individuals who would devote themselves to the welfare of the
community and its citizenry; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commem-
orate the 40th Anniversary of Dutchess Outreach of Poughkeepsie, New
York; and
WHEREAS, The mission of Dutchess Outreach is simple, but not easy;
each day an array of people come together to provide support for the
needy in the community; this vital organization strives to meet the
basic needs of low-income people when no other resources are available
to them and to assist them in becoming self-sufficient; and
WHEREAS, Dutchess Outreach promotes community awareness of hunger and
other social problems and urges improvement in the response to human
needs; and
WHEREAS, In addition, Dutchess Outreach acts as an advocate through
the referral and follow-up process for needy individuals/families and
finds appropriate resources which enable people to meet their basic
needs on a long-term basis; it also acts as an advocate by promoting
community awareness of social problems and generating support for
improvement of the system's response to human needs; and
WHEREAS, In 1974, in Poughkeepsie, the Trinity United Methodist Church
(Trinity UMC) Neighborhood and Discovery Program began to respond to the
need for emergency services and to advocate for those with limited
means; space and volunteers were provided by Trinity Church, initial
funding came from the Methodist New York Conference, and Mary Keeley was
a part-time staff member; and
WHEREAS, Two years later, the program became a Satellite of the Model
Cities Citizen's Center and Marist College provided Mary Keeley with a
student assistant; and
WHEREAS, As the need for information, referrals, direct service and
follow-up increased, a second full-time staff member was funded by
Poughkeepsie Community Development funds; the same year, the Emergency
Food Pantry opened to provide a three-day supply of nourishing food; and
WHEREAS, In 1978, the Children's Clothes Closet was launched at Trini-
ty UMC, later moving to First Congregational Church before settling,
under the auspices of Dutchess Outreach, at the Family Partnership
Center in 1998; and
WHEREAS, In 1982, the Lunch Box opened in the basement of St. Paul's
Episcopal Church, Poughkeepsie providing a mid-day meal five days a
week, later expanding to include Sunday lunch; and
WHEREAS, Approximately a decade later, the Annual Coat Drive and Give-
away was launched, collecting and distributing as many as 6,000 coats
annually at locations around Dutchess County; and
WHEREAS, In 1994, Dutchess Outreach became the sponsoring agency to
Acts of Kindness, a community initiative to provide basic necessities,
appliances, and bedding for people in transitional housing situations,
and one year later, Dutchess Outreach was awarded a contract to provide
home delivered meals to people homebound with AIDS; the name GIFTS, an
acronym for Giving Individuals Food for The Soul was conceived a few
months later by the recipients; and

WHEREAS, In 1998-1999, with the addition of public, private and foun-
dation support, Dutchess Outreach expanded its emergency financial
assistance component for those in need, particularly with prescription
costs; in 1998, the emergency assistance, food pantry, closet programs
and administrative offices of Dutchess Outreach moved to the Family
Partnership Center, followed by the Lunch Box the next year; and
WHEREAS, In collaboration with the Mental Health Association, the
Lunch Box expanded its use to be a cold weather weekend emergency day
shelter for homeless people when the Partnership Center closes early; it
also began offering meals for the Teen Resources Activity Program, an
after school program of the City of Poughkeepsie School District; and
WHEREAS, In 2008, the Lunch Box began providing evening meals at the
end of each month, in collaboration with various faith communities, and
professional, business and volunteer groups from around Dutchess County;
and
WHEREAS, In addition, the Lunch Box began preparing meals for the Real
Skills youth program, an additional program from the City of Poughkeep-
sie School District which offers after school programs for students from
elementary age through high school; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when organiza-
tions of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our atten-
tion, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens of
this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 40th Anniversary of Dutchess Outreach of Poughkeepsie,
New York; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Dutchess Outreach of Poughkeepsie, New York.