According to Mid-Hudson News, POUGHKEEPSIE – The Shamrock Association, a private social club in Poughkeepsie, delivered the proceeds of a recent fundraiser to Dutchess Outreach to help the non-profit continue to serve those in need.
Dutchess Outreach is the busiest food pantry and food provider in the Poughkeepsie area, serving more than 200,000 hot meals annually and feeding more than 10,000 families annually.
The more than $2,000 donation from the Shamrock will help answer the enormous increase in the need for food that Dutchess Outreach has faced since the start of the pandemic in 2019.
Shamrock Association President Al Nowak recently visited Dutchess Outreach, accompanied by fellow Shamrock member Todd Bender, a former Dutchess Outreach board member. “I had no idea how many people use the services provided by Dutchess Outreach,” Nowak said as he presented a $2,300 check from the Shamrock to Dutchess Outreach. “This check is a small token of our appreciation,” Bender told Executive Director Renee Fillette.
Brian Laffin started the annual Shamrock Pie Raffle a few years ago and has grown exponentially. “Our Shamrockers and friends really come together to help Dutchess Outreach in fulfilling their mission,” Nowak said, with Bender adding “It’s what we do.”
Fillette was awestruck by the unexpected donation and said, “Community organizations like those from the Shamrock are the backbone of our support. We don’t rely on guaranteed donations from them but appreciate and use every penny they bring us.”
Dutchess Outreach Associate Director Tara Whalen is familiar with the annual Shamrock Pie Raffle fundraiser and added, “The Shamrock goes above and beyond to help us feed those in need every year. With the increased demand for our services, the Shamrockers really stepped up and delivered an incredible donation. We can’t thank that group enough.”