Poughkeepsie, NY – Dutchess County Legislature Majority Leader Angela Flesland announced today that members of Dutchess County government prepared and served hot food to members of the public at the Lunch Box, a kitchen for needy residents operated by the local nonprofit organization Dutchess Outreach. The volunteer service began at 5 p.m. at Dutchess Outreach’s 29 North Hamilton Street location in the City of Poughkeepsie. An estimated 60 visitors received a hot meal at the Lunch Box during the service; peanut-butter-and-jelly sandwiches were also available for congregants to take with them.
The Lunch Box provides lunch, an after-school program, and dinner Sunday through Friday, serving an estimated 500 meals a day, according to the Dutchess Outreach website. Major supporters of the program include ShopRite, Panera Bread, Hannaford supermarket, and local pizzerias. This is the third year in a row that lawmakers and county government staff have volunteered to prepare and serve dinner.
County Executive Marc Molinaro said, “I’m proud so many of my colleagues in Dutchess County government shared their time for such a worthy cause. Our county’s giving spirit is truly inspiring, and it’s important to help our neighbors whenever we have the chance. Opportunities like this, giving us the chance to serve, allow us to reach out to county residents, and they are the essence of government.”
“Dutchess Outreach’s supportive staff and its sponsors work tirelessly to make sure families in need get a hot meal, often the only meal they may eat all day. Today’s volunteer drive and service was an opportunity to highlight their work on behalf of our low-income families and encourage others to lend their time, skills, and resources to this worthy cause,” said Flesland.
To learn more about the Lunch Box and other programs offered by Dutchess Outreach, please visit their website.
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