Services
Acts of Kindness
By partnering with area human services agencies, Acts of Kindness (AOK) provides household items to those who can’t afford them on their own. In 2010, AOK assisted over 30 agencies so that more than 275 clients could obtain household items they otherwise couldn’t afford. If you or someone you know is in need of essential household goods, such as pots, pans, flatware, small appliances or even small furniture items, call the volunteers at Acts of Kindness at 845.635.1454. AOK is located at 1 Maggiacomo Lane in Pleasant Valley (in the Key Food Plaza), and is open from 10 AM until noon. Identification is required. See the "Donation" section of this site or call 845.635.1454 to donate ant clothes you may have that can benefit a needy child in our area.
Advocacy and Referral
We are always available as a referral source and to advocate for a client where the need is indicated, even where a client is ineligible for financial assistance or does not meet these guidelines in some way.
A verbal or written referral to Dutchess Outreach from another agency, program, or individual does not automatically qualify a client for financial assistance. An appropriate referral may expedite the application and decision process, or may lead to collaboration between agencies. Our clients often receive referrals which are not cleared or researched by the referring agency. We can take no responsibility for referrals or actions by other agencies or programs. If governmental or special program assistance is available to a client, it must be pursued first. A denial letter from DSS or another agency does not entitle an applicant to financial assistance.
The application must show a one time, emergency financial need which was not caused by the client’s actions or lack of effort. We will not assist someone who will not help themselves.
No financial assistance will be approved if a client has adequate income or funds to address the emergency themselves. We may require copies of pay stubs, receipts, or similar documents in order to make a determination. Clients should be aware that providing false information and/or documentation to a case worker will result in an immediate termination of any effort to assist the client with their emergency. Case workers may share information and documentation provided by the client with concerned individuals and agencies.
A verbal or written referral to Dutchess Outreach from another agency, program, or individual does not automatically qualify a client for financial assistance. An appropriate referral may expedite the application and decision process, or may lead to collaboration between agencies. Our clients often receive referrals which are not cleared or researched by the referring agency. We can take no responsibility for referrals or actions by other agencies or programs. If governmental or special program assistance is available to a client, it must be pursued first. A denial letter from DSS or another agency does not entitle an applicant to financial assistance.
The application must show a one time, emergency financial need which was not caused by the client’s actions or lack of effort. We will not assist someone who will not help themselves.
No financial assistance will be approved if a client has adequate income or funds to address the emergency themselves. We may require copies of pay stubs, receipts, or similar documents in order to make a determination. Clients should be aware that providing false information and/or documentation to a case worker will result in an immediate termination of any effort to assist the client with their emergency. Case workers may share information and documentation provided by the client with concerned individuals and agencies.
Beverly Closs Food Pantry
Adequate nutrition is a basic need everyone deserves. Just last year, the Food Pantry provided 74,952 meals for 1,550 families, including 1,443 children. The Beverly Closs Memorial Food Pantry provides clients with up to a three-day supply of food once every 30 days. The Pantry is open Monday through Friday, from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. After-hours emergency referrals from community workers are accepted, but please contact us to make arrangements in advance. Clients must bring identification for everyone in their household who is in need of food, and visits may be made once every 30 days. If you are interested in making a donation to The Beverly Closs Food Pantry please visit the “Donate Today” section of this site or call us at 845.454.3792.
Children’s Clothes Closet
The Children’s Clothes Closet at Dutchess Outreach provides new and gently used clothing for children of all ages, free of charge. Each year, hundreds of infants, children and teenagers throughout the county benefit from the clothing, shoes, boots, coats and accessories that are available at The Children’s Clothing Closet. Parents and guardians can visit the closet Thursdays from 10 a.m. to noon. Identification is required. See the “Donate Today” section of this site or call (845) 454-3792 to donate any clothes you may have that can benefit a needy child in our area.
Emergency Assistance
Dutchess Outreach works on a daily basis with families and individuals who are facing various emergencies in their lives. They may be one month’s rent away from homelessness, they may not be able to afford vital medication, or they may be in imminent danger of utility cut-off. In situations where our Guidelines for Financial Assistance (link to items below) are applicable, we may be able to make a one-time grant of financial assistance.
We have a limited amount of funds each year to assist clients with medication, rent, utility, and transportation to a rehabilitation center. Due to the restrictions of our funding sources, we are able to approve relatively few grants, but in general we determine whether a client is facing a one-time financial need and whether the client has taken steps to see that future needs will be met before we approve a grant.
The following information is available so our clients, caseworkers and other agencies may understand our program requirements, guidelines and limitations. Please read carefully and assemble the needed documentation before coming to see us. A phone call to find out more information can sometimes save you a lot of time.
Hours of Service
Our emergency assistance program is open Monday through Friday from 1 to 4 pm only, unless a caseworker, or the client, makes prior arrangements. Phone calls to 845.454.3792 will be accepted during regular business hours 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.
We have a limited amount of funds each year to assist clients with medication, rent, utility, and transportation to a rehabilitation center. Due to the restrictions of our funding sources, we are able to approve relatively few grants, but in general we determine whether a client is facing a one-time financial need and whether the client has taken steps to see that future needs will be met before we approve a grant.
The following information is available so our clients, caseworkers and other agencies may understand our program requirements, guidelines and limitations. Please read carefully and assemble the needed documentation before coming to see us. A phone call to find out more information can sometimes save you a lot of time.
Hours of Service
Our emergency assistance program is open Monday through Friday from 1 to 4 pm only, unless a caseworker, or the client, makes prior arrangements. Phone calls to 845.454.3792 will be accepted during regular business hours 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.
Nutrition for People with AIDS
The “Giving Individuals Food for The Soul” (GIFTS) Program provides free home-delivered meals for Dutchess County residents who are home-bound with HIV/AIDS. Seven nutritious meals per week are delivered on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday between 9 am and 4 pm through our network of dedicated volunteers who help prepare and deliver each week. The program provides nutritional assessments and can assist with special dietary considerations, such as lactose free meals. Most importantly, the GIFTS Program maintains absolute confidentiality supported by NYS law.
To become a GIFTS volunteer, complete our Volunteer Form today.
To become a GIFTS volunteer, complete our Volunteer Form today.
Prescriptions
The overwhelming majority of our grants are approved to assist clients who cannot afford to purchase their prescriptions on a one time basis. We do not assist with payment of bills for medical treatment or services. Most applicants have already applied for Medicaid, Child and/or Family Health Plus and are caught within the waiting period before their case opens.
Our program is not based on medical need – we are not a medical or pharmaceutical provider. Grants are approved based on an emergency financial need, and if a client has sufficient funds to meet the need a grant will not be approved. Documentation regarding income and expenses may be required. A client may also be required to apply for Medicaid, Child and/or Family Health Plus before a grant is approved, especially when the need for the medication is not life threatening.
We may decide to provide a grant to cover only a portion of the cost of the prescription(s), or to cover the purchase of a limited number of prescriptions. We are not a provider of medical services or medications. Contact with a client’s medical provider may be required, and will of course be done only with the client’s written consent.
Like other grants, our financial assistance is available on a one time basis. It is important that clients realize that they are responsible for assuring that their future needs are met, by seeking and recertifying for Medicaid, Child and/or Family Health Plus coverage, or by obtaining employment or other dependable income.
Our program is not based on medical need – we are not a medical or pharmaceutical provider. Grants are approved based on an emergency financial need, and if a client has sufficient funds to meet the need a grant will not be approved. Documentation regarding income and expenses may be required. A client may also be required to apply for Medicaid, Child and/or Family Health Plus before a grant is approved, especially when the need for the medication is not life threatening.
We may decide to provide a grant to cover only a portion of the cost of the prescription(s), or to cover the purchase of a limited number of prescriptions. We are not a provider of medical services or medications. Contact with a client’s medical provider may be required, and will of course be done only with the client’s written consent.
Like other grants, our financial assistance is available on a one time basis. It is important that clients realize that they are responsible for assuring that their future needs are met, by seeking and recertifying for Medicaid, Child and/or Family Health Plus coverage, or by obtaining employment or other dependable income.
Rent / Mortgage
An application for rent or mortgage assistance must be accompanied by a printed, formal nonpayment or eviction notice, copies of court papers, or a sheriff’s eviction notice. Other documents may be required (i.e. copy of a lease agreement, condemnation notice). Letters or notes from family members or friends are not sufficient unless they are the Landlord of Record. We must also have a written statement from the Landlord indicating what payments are owed, and we may require a payment history in ongoing problem cases.
The client must show that the rent is normally affordable except for the one time financial emergency. If an applicant owes several months rent and is not facing a one month shortfall due to an unforeseen event, our program is not the appropriate solution. Unfortunately, we cannot assist applicants who have no current or pending income, or who do not normally bring in enough to pay their rent and utilities on a monthly basis. If the cause of nonpayment is attributable to a temporary condition (i.e. short term disability), and another agency is approving additional assistance, collaboration is possible. Our advocacy and referral experience may certainly be utilized to address such problems.
Rent or mortgage assistance payments are limited to a maximum of one month rent or mortgage. No grant will be issued to pay security deposits, last month’s rent, application or credit check fees, or any costs other than actual rent or mortgage expenses. In all cases, the client must show that the rent and utilities will be affordable in future months based on income from wages and/or other assistance.
The client must show that the rent is normally affordable except for the one time financial emergency. If an applicant owes several months rent and is not facing a one month shortfall due to an unforeseen event, our program is not the appropriate solution. Unfortunately, we cannot assist applicants who have no current or pending income, or who do not normally bring in enough to pay their rent and utilities on a monthly basis. If the cause of nonpayment is attributable to a temporary condition (i.e. short term disability), and another agency is approving additional assistance, collaboration is possible. Our advocacy and referral experience may certainly be utilized to address such problems.
Rent or mortgage assistance payments are limited to a maximum of one month rent or mortgage. No grant will be issued to pay security deposits, last month’s rent, application or credit check fees, or any costs other than actual rent or mortgage expenses. In all cases, the client must show that the rent and utilities will be affordable in future months based on income from wages and/or other assistance.
The Lunch Box—Mid-day and evening meals
Perhaps our best known program, The Lunch Box provides hot mid-day meals six days a week to thousands of Dutchess County residents each year. Evening meals are also served between 10 and 15 times a month, depending on funding and volunteer availability. In addition, The Lunch Box provides shelter for the homeless waiting for space in an overnight shelter on the weekends, as well as two after-school programs for children in the City of Poughkeepsie School District.
Just last year, Lunch Box programs and our staff/volunteer team served over 100,000 meals, with more than 250 people each day receiving nutritious sustenance. For some of our clients, their meal with us may be their only meal of the day…
Just last year, Lunch Box programs and our staff/volunteer team served over 100,000 meals, with more than 250 people each day receiving nutritious sustenance. For some of our clients, their meal with us may be their only meal of the day…
Transportation
Grants are approved in voucher form only for one way transportation to a rehabilitation center, when a written referral confirming that a bed has been reserved and that the client has no funds available is provided by a substance abuse counselor or caseworker. This assistance is available on a one time basis only
Utilities
An applicant must present a shutoff notice from their electric, gas, oil or fuel company, or other written indication that an emergency is pending. We do not assist with payments with respect to telephone or cable service. A regular monthly or periodic bill or an outstanding bill for service at a previous residence does not constitute an emergency. Usually the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) program at DSS or the Good Neighbor Fund must be pursued before we can approve a utility grant, unless it is clear that the client is not eligible for those programs. A HEAP denial notice will be required in some cases.
If a client does not receive enough monthly income to cover their rent and utility expenses, we cannot approve a grant. Even if a client is not eligible for financial assistance, our case workers will use their advocacy and referral skills where appropriate.
If a client does not receive enough monthly income to cover their rent and utility expenses, we cannot approve a grant. Even if a client is not eligible for financial assistance, our case workers will use their advocacy and referral skills where appropriate.
TO OTHER PROVIDERS We strongly encourage you to make phone contact before referring a client for services. All too often a client is sent here to apply for assistance, when a phone call would have determined that we do not provide such services, the client is not eligible for some reason, or another agency would be a more appropriate referral. Although our caseworkers will assist every applicant in some way, we have seen many instances where a client is automatically sent to Dutchess Outreach for emergency financial needs, wasting the client’s time and causing unnecessary frustration, when a simple phone call would have avoided such problems. We appreciate you taking the time to contact us on behalf of your clients so that we all may provide them with the best service possible.