CHHOP Receives $87,500 Grant From Mother Cabrini Health Foundation
July 13, 2020
Peekskill, NY— Hungry residents of Peekskill and the surrounding area got a huge boost from the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation this July in the form of a generous grant to a Westchester County based nonprofit fighting hunger and homelessness. The $87,500 grant to Caring for the Hungry and Homeless of Peekskill (CHHOP) will be used to hire a part-time, temporary coordinator to work with the City of Peekskill and local food pantries to organize distribution of food to hungry residents in Peekskill and the surrounding area. As the Covid-19 crisis of the past few months threatens food security for many residents in the area, several food providers have popped up to address the need for food. The community has rallied to provide more food distribution, however, there are few resources to help coordinate efforts between the pantries. Food pantries will be able to maximize their community impact when there is a coordinator in place who can focus on organizing their efforts.
“As the largest healthcare foundation in New York State, it is a vital part of our mission to be on the frontlines assisting during this pandemic. We are working to get urgently needed funds across the state to organizations supporting those most in need,” says Alfred F. Kelly, Jr., Chief Executive Officer, Visa, and Chair of the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation Board.
The Mother Cabrini Health Foundation grant also generously funds the purchase of healthy and nutritious food for Fred’s Pantry, the CHHOP run food pantry. Fred’s Pantry is struggling to get enough food to meet the dramatic surge in demand that has occurred over the past few months. Funding from this grant will ensure that there will continue to be food for those in need. Fred’s Pantry is dedicated to providing healthy food that is low in sodium for those with hypertension and low in sugar for those with diabetes to help support better overall health and build up the immune system. CHHOP will be working with a local health center to identify clients who need supplemental food to manage medical conditions.
Since the onset of Covid-19, demand for food from Fred’s Pantry has skyrocketed. From March 20 through July 12, 2020, Fred’s Pantry served 6,606 individuals (households) representing 26,346 household members. This is an increase of over 400 percent from 2019.
“The increase in numbers of people seeking food support from Fred’s is staggering. In the past six weeks, we’ve provided meals for more than one third the number of people served during the entirety of years 2019 and 2018,” Says Cynthia B. Knox, Esq., CEO of CHHOP. “Like the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation, we believe in supporting the most vulnerable in our area. We are thankful that the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation recognizes the urgency of the need to ensure families continued access to healthy and nutritious food, particularly during this time of increased vulnerability among our clients.”
About
The Mother Cabrini Health Foundation is a private, nonprofit organization with the mission to improve the health and well-being of the vulnerable New Yorkers, bolster the health outcomes of targeted communities, eliminate barriers to care, and bridge gaps in health services. The Foundation – which is named in memory of a tireless advocate for immigrants, children, and the poor – provides flexible support for new and innovative approaches that enhance health and wellness across New York State.
At CHHOP, we believe that every person is entitled to safe and affordable housing and healthy, nutritious food. We work to alleviate hunger and homelessness in Peekskill and its surrounding community by providing temporary housing, long-term housing, advocacy, and clinical and support services to veterans, domestic violence survivors and chronically homeless men and women. We also provide healthy and nutritious food through our food pantry.