​Fund Awards Grants To Those In Need During Coronavirus Outbreak

POUGHKEEPSIE, NY — Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro and Community Foundations of the Hudson Valley Interim President and CEO Nevill Smythe announced Tuesday $32,400 in grants have been awarded from the Dutchess Responds Fund to aid county residents in need of critical support as a result of the new coronavirus outbreak. These funds have been awarded to community organizations that support two priorities: front line and service-challenged needs.

Molinaro said, since the COVID-19 pandemic first touched Dutchess County more than a month ago, residents have shown the altruism and sense of community for which our county is renowned.

Follow all the coronavirus updates in New York. Sign up for Patch news alerts and newsletters.

"This new round of Dutchess Responds grants is the latest example of that generosity," he said. "Distributed to organizations that will benefit residents in every corner of Dutchess County, these funds represent neighbors helping neighbors, and they will greatly impact many in our community in need of assistance during these difficult times.”

Front line grants fund community-based nonprofits that have increased demand for services due to the new coronavirus, such as community-based health clinics, food pantries, meal delivery programs, homelessness services and prevention programs.

Service-challenged grants fund nonprofits that have modified in-person service delivery rapidly due to the virus and need assistance upgrading technology or sanitation protocols or obtaining cleaning supplies or service personnel, such as youth or recreation centers, child or adult daycares, senior services or community-based education programs.

The following local organizations will receive Dutchess Responds funds during this round of grants, ranging from $1,000 to $10,000:

• Animal Farm Foundation
• Ascienzo Family Foundation/Red Hook Responds
• Community Voices Heard
• Dutchess Outreach
• Meals on Wheels of Greater Poughkeepsie
• Pawling Resource Center
• RDC Loaves and Fishes, Inc.
• Red Hook UMC Food Pantry
• Willow Roots, Inc.
• Worker Justice Center of New York

Established in March, Dutchess County Government’s Dutchess Responds relief effort assists residents greatly impacted by the pandemic. The site provides a one-stop connection for those residents who need assistance with food delivery and household essentials.

The Dutchess Responds Fund, hosted by the Community Foundations of the Hudson Valley, enables local non-profit agencies to provide needed resources to residents experiencing hardships or quarantine restrictions as a result of the evolving health emergency.

This second round of Dutchess Responds Fund grants follows the initial round of grants, announced earlier this month, which awarded more than $50,000 in funds to shore up the feeding programs throughout Dutchess County, with a special emphasis on fresh produce and distribution.

Like Hudson Valley Patches' Facebook Pages.

Fill out this anonymous form to share your coronavirus stories. All messages are confidential.