CHHOP Closes Out Peekskill Summer Challenge with Broad Community Support
September 25, 2019
Peekskill, NY -- Caring for the Hungry and Homeless of Peekskill (CHHOP), a non-profit organization dedicated to sheltering and helping individuals experiencing homelessness and hunger, today announced the conclusion of the Peekskill Summer Challenge. The Challenge brought together over 80 businesses, organizations and residents to commit to empowering individuals and veterans experiencing homelessness to become independent once again, and ensure Peekskill’s families have enough healthy, nutritious food.
Westchester County estimates 200,000 food insecure residents, which is higher than any other county in the Hudson Valley. Among them, 1,750 individuals experience homelessness. During the Peekskill Summer Challenge from July 25th to September 25th, CHHOP received over 250 pounds of donated food to support these individuals, hosted 12 volunteers and collected donation boxes from 26 local businesses.
“The Peekskill Summer Challenge has brought together over 80 local businesses and organizations to help our most vulnerable brothers and sisters. We are deeply grateful for such a strong show of community support,” said Cynthia Knox, CHHOP CEO. “Every single donation makes a positive impact on someone’s life and we are so excited to continue working with our community partners to ensure all our neighbors have access to the essential resources they need to thrive.”
“CHHOP is an integral part of the community and I’m pleased to see they garnered such widespread community support during the Peekskill Summer Challenge,” said State Senator Pete Harckham. “It’s incumbent upon each of us to ensure we give everybody the opportunity to get back on their feet, and CHHOP’s work is essential to making that a reality.”
“It’s been an honor to participate in the Peekskill Summer Challenge to support local Peekskill families. Alleviating hunger and homelessness must be a collective effort, and CHHOP’s work this summer illustrated the progress we can make together. I hope the success shown in recent months encourages more people to volunteer and lend support,” said Keith Beradi, Owner Peekskill Brewery.
Community members, businesses and organizations can continue to participate in the fight to end hunger and homelessness by:
● Hosting a donation box for nonperishable food items this holiday season inside their place of business or organization;
● Dropping off a food or new clothing item at their Jan Peek location at 200 N Water St, Peekskill, NY 10566
● Making a contribution at https://www.chhop.org/;
● Participating in one-on-one mentoring and/or job training of CHHOP residents.
About
Caring for the Hungry and Homeless of Peekskill (CHHOP) works to alleviate hunger and homelessness in Peekskill and its surroundings by providing temporary housing, long-term housing, advocacy and clinical and support services to veterans, domestic violence survivors and chronically homeless men and women. CHHOP also provides healthy and nutritious food through Fred’s Pantry. Visit us chhop.org