FROM: Jeannie Montano, President & CEO, United Way of the Dutchess-Orange Region

Please give what you can to help us meet our $200,000 goal. The need in our community is still growing, even as we reopen. Every gift makes a difference in someone's life.


“The emergency fund program gave me hope, and reassured me that there are a lot of good people in this world. With all the extra stress due to COVID-19, on top of school, bills and not enough work hours, I almost felt defeated. THANK YOU ALL!”
-Myia R.
COVID-19 RESPONSE BI-WEEKLY UPDATE

United Way of the Dutchess-Orange Region responds daily to COVID-19 requests in our community. We use your donations to provide critical help to those in greatest need. Now during the reopening and recovery phases, we continue to help those who are struggling to provide food for their families and keep them safe.
Since July 7 we have

  • Restocked a local food pantry so 2,000 people and their families would not go hungry.

  • Provided a pop-up tent and other necessary cooling items so a local group could provide food to 500 people and families during the heat of summer.

  • Providing PPE including masks and hand sanitizer to a local food pantry for their staff and clients helping 100 people.

  • Purchased PPE and clothing for 100 struggling neighbors and their families.

  • Kept the lights on for a single mother, struggling to pay her bills after being out of work since April.

  • Distributed PPE and necessities for 239 families and children, providing undergarments, clothing, diapers, wipes, blankets, sneakers through our No Contact Day of Sharing Program. Contact Rebecca Lull (rlull@uwdor.org or 845-471-1900 ext 3113) for more information about this program that serves nonprofits, faith-based organizations and schools. Arrangements must be made in advance.

  • United Way’s free confidential 24/7 2-1-1 Helpline has received 12,138 COVID-19 related calls over the past 19 weeks. This week callers are still seeking information on COVID-19. Re-opening is generating a new set of questions as well as increased anxiety on the part of frontline workers returning to work and fearful of exposure. Food insecurity accounted for 30% of all calls last week.

  • Thank you for joining us to deliver help to 81,392 people in Dutchess and Orange counties since March 12. Together we are #DOCommunityStrong against COVID-19.

and we are continuing to respond to the daily needs of our community as the situation evolves.


  • Remember to be counted! Make sure to complete the U.S. Census.

  • Are you serving in the military, a veteran or a retiree? Would you like to share storytime with with a special child - even when you're away from home? United Through Reading lets you record a story through their app and then will send the book to your special child. For information, click here.
Thank you! With your help we are making a difference in people's lives every day! For more information: www.uwdor.org/covidhelp
There is a new financial incentive for Americans to give generously to qualifying charities, including United Way of the Dutchess-Orange Region and many of our community partners. The new universal tax break for charitable donations was included in the final $2 trillion COVID-19 stimulus package signed into law last week and will go into effect starting with the 2020 tax year. The measure grants taxpayers an above-the-line deduction for up to $300 in charitable donations given in 2020. For example, if you take the standard deduction and give $300 to charity, you will get a $300 tax break in addition to the standard deduction.
DO YOU NEED HELP?
STAY CONNECTED VIRTUALLY WHILE WE HAVE TO SOCIAL DISTANCE
CONTACT US
SEE WHAT WE'VE BEEN DOING
Thanks to the following for their support of our community through United Way of the Dutchess-Orange Region’s Dutchess Orange Community Strong COVID-19 Fund:
And with thanks for support from our media partners
It's not too late. You can still be counted.

Complete the  2020 Census  to ensure our communities receive the federal aid, grants and support they are entitled to by  your participation in the census . All information collected by the Census Bureau is confidential and protected under law.

Some local communities that have "hard to count" areas are sharing direct links and information.