Mission/History

The Dutchess Outreach mission is simple, but not easy. Each day an array of people somehow miraculously come together to provide support for the needy in our community. We strive 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. We promote community awareness of hunger and other social problems and urge improvement in the response to human needs. 

Our Purpose

• To meet the temporary, basic needs of individuals and families when no other resources are readily available to them.
• To act as an advocate through the referral and follow-up process for needy individuals/families and find appropriate resources which will enable such persons to meet their basic needs on a long-term basis.
• To act as an advocate by promoting community awareness of social problems and generating support for improvement of the system's response to human needs.

History:

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.

In 1976, the program became a Satellite of the Model Cities Citizen’s Center and a block grant between the City of Poughkeepsie and Trinity UMC funded one half of Mary Keeley’s salary as full-time director of the Satellite Center. Marist College provided a student assistant. As the need for information, referrals, direct service and follow-up increased, a second full-time staff member was funded by the Poughkeepsie Community Development funds.

In 1976 the Emergency Food Pantry opened to provide a three-day supply of nourishing food.

In 1978 the Children’s Clothes Closet was launched at Trinity UMC, later moving to First Congregational Church before settling, under the auspices of Dutchess Outreach, at the Family Partnership Center in 1998.

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.

In 1993 the Annual Coat Drive and Giveaway was launched, collecting and distributing as many as 6,000 coats annually at locations around Dutchess County.

In 1994 Dutchess Outreach became the sponsoring agency to Acts of Kindness, a community initiative to provide basic necessities, appliances, bedding, etc. for people in transitional housing situations.

In 1995 Dutchess Outreach was awarded a contract to provide home delivered meals to people homebound with AIDS. The name GIFTS was conceived a few months later by the recipients. GIFTS is an acronym for Giving Individuals Food for The Soul.

In 1998-1999 with the addition of public, private and foundation 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 closet programs and administrative offices of Dutchess Outreach moved to the Family Partnership Center.

In 1999 the Lunch Box moved its locations to the Family Partnership Center, too.

In 2004  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.

In 2001 the Lunch Box began offering meals for the Teen Resources Activity Program, an after school program of the City of Poughkeepsie School District.

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. Most months this now amounts to at least 10 evening meals. In addition, The Lunch Box began preparing meals for the Real Skills youth program, an additional program from the City of Poughkeepsie School District that offers after school programs for students from elementary age through high school.