Holiday Heroics at Pawling Resource Center
By: Brian Rackliffe
Thanksgiving is a time for family, friends, and food. Unfortunately, not everyone is able to celebrate the holiday due to lack of funds, shelter, and food. Today, over nine percent of people in Dutchess County lives below the poverty line (according to Data USA). That’s 25,500 people out of the 279,000 that reside in the county. It’s unlikely that that nine percent of poverty stricken people can afford to celebrate this generous and family-oriented holiday on their own. Luckily, an organization in Dutchess County works diligently to make sure nobody is alone or hungry during this holiday season.
The Pawling Resource Center (PRC) is considered a blessing to many Dutchess County residents. Completely staffed with volunteers, their holiday efforts start in early November and continue until after Christmas. They receive donated turkeys from the “Sunday in the Country” food drive and support from AT&T. Additionally, they receive food and personal care essentials from numerous churches, organizations, businesses, schools and individuals in the area. Local families donate holiday gift boxes from supermarkets such as Hannaford’s to be distributed by the Resource Center. On top of that, locals will put together and donate gifts specifically for senior citizens and those who are grieving the loss of a loved one during the holiday season for the PRC to give to their visitors.
“It becomes very hectic at this time of year,” said five-year PRC volunteer and Executive Director, Terry Ariano. “In addition to having four regular clients coming in for food, and all the other services we offer, people are signing up for getting the extra thanksgiving distribution. Additional orders for food items must be made. Local grocery stores do special holiday box collections which we must then pick up. Clients are also signing up for the adopt a family Christmas program, and we are signing up adopters and matching families anonymously.”
There are no specific records dating how far back the Thanksgiving drive has been going on for, but members of the PRC believe it started back in their earliest years. They were founded in 1976 and have held down their current location since 1982. Their tradition has grown across the community, offering a helping hand to anyone in need.
“In 2018 we served 109 families. That number grew a substantial amount from the 45 families recorded in 2006,” Ariano explained. “We provide a turkey, chicken or breast that the family signs up for in advance. We provide the ingredients for sides, deserts, baking mixes, and a Hannaford food box.”
During the holidays, especially during Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons, most people just want to celebrate with their loved ones, give and receive presents, and eat all the delicious food that comes with the time of year. The dedicated work staff at Pawling Resource Center share those feelings as well, yet they don’t see why the good times have to stop with family and friends. They believe everyone deserves to feel that love and comfort as the end of the year comes around, especially those who don’t get to experience it year-round.
“It’s our mission,” Ariano admitted when asked why she volunteers to be a part of this organization. “It is great to see how people are appreciative of receiving food and gifts to be able to joyously celebrate the holiday season when so many people don’t have that luxury. Also [it is] wonderful to be able to see how it makes the adopters feel.”
It is no foreign scene for anyone whose mother cooks on Thanksgiving or Christmas to experience complete and utter chaos around the house during the holidays. The Pawling Resource Center doesn’t get to take a breath from that chaos between holidays like most people do. From November to January, this staff works tirelessly to put their best foot forward in order for someone else to enjoy the holidays; an experience these citizens would not get without the care and generosity of the Pawling Resource Center.
If you know of anyone in the Dutchess County who may need assistance celebrating the holiday season to its fullest, reach out to the PRC via phone call at 845–855–3459 or visit their website, pawlingresourcecenter.org . They are always accepting more volunteers and refuse to turn their head to someone in need of their help.
