There are many people in our community that are affected by the government shutdown. In response to that fact The Food Bank of the Hudson Valley is holding a special food distribution for out-of-work federal employees this Thursday (January 24th). From 9 am to 4 pm. The Food Bank is located at 195 Hudson Street in Cornwall-on-Hudson. If you think about it the Food Bank is right around the corner / mountain from one of our largest local federal employers in the Hudson Valley, West Point so it is wonderful that they are offering this event so close to folks who may need it.

Furloughed federal employees (or those who are working and not getting paid) along with their families who live anywhere in the six county region (Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Sullivan and Ulster) the food bank serves are welcome to take advantage of this event. You will need to show a federal ID or you can show a photo of the ID for an employee who is unable to attend in person. There is no need to make an appointment you can just stop by on Thursday during the designated time.

A three day supply of non-persihable food items will be provide to participants plus there will be a selection of produce, dairy, meat and other perishable items to choose from so it is a good idea to bring a cooler or freezer shopping bags. They are also making available some personal care items and possibly pet food. It will depend on inventory.

For those of us who can donate please make an effort between now and Thursday to get a donation to the food bank, the more they have the more folks they can help. Think about what your shopping list looks like this week and drop it off or make a cash donation. The money can go a long way in helping our fellow neighbor. Non-perishable food items can be donated Monday thru Friday 8 am to 4:30 pm.

For more details, please call the Food Bank of the Hudson Valley at (845) 534-5344. if you want to volunteer Thursday please email pstermer@foodbankofthehudsonvalley.org

About the Food Bank
Working in partnership with the food industry, the Food Bank of the Hudson Valley collects surplus food and distributes it to charitable agencies feeding hungry people in a six-county region of the Lower Hudson Valley (Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Sullivan and Ulster). Last year, the Food Bank provided 16 million pounds of food to more than 124,000 people through 400 member agencies – including food pantries, soup kitchens, emergency shelters, day care centers, senior programs, rehabilitation programs and programs for the disabled.

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