CHHOP’s Jan Peek House, Northern Westchester County’s Only Homeless Shelter, Renews Interim Two-Year Lease

Fred’s Pantry Reaches Agreement On Existing Rental Space Securing ‘Farm to Pantry’ Food Service Two Days Per Week

March 4, 2024

Peekskill, NY -- As the housing and food insecurity crisis continues to rage across America, CHHOP – Caring for the Hungry and Homeless of Peekskill – announces it has signed an interim two-year lease renewal for its Jan Peek House shelter until a permanent location can be secured. Additionally, a two-year agreement has been reached on the existing rental space for Fred’s Pantry, so it can continue distributing food to the community twice per week – Wednesdays and Saturdays – as it has done since the COVID-19 pandemic, given the increased need.

Cynthia Knox, CEO, CHHOP commented, “Without question, both Jan Peek House and Fred’s Pantry provide essential housing, support services and nutritious ‘farm to pantry’ food for those in need in our community and we couldn’t be more humbled by the support we’ve seen by area residents and elected officials. The signing of the Jan Peek House lease is purely an interim solution, so our services and programs go uninterrupted. Until a permanent solution is secured, our work continues. The only shelter in Northern Westchester needs to be future proofed well beyond the next two years.”

Since 1988, Jan Peek House has been the only shelter serving the most vulnerable and homeless of Northern Westchester. In 2023, CHHOP’s Jan Peek House provided shelter to 331 clients, including 56 veterans and our offsite housing programs - Turning Point and RISE - assisted 125 individuals. Fred’s Pantry provided over 18,000 households with nearly a quarter of a million meals. 62% of these households were new to the pantry last year.

About

About CHHOP CHHOP - Caring for the Hungry and Homeless of Peekskill - is a nonprofit organization, the only one of its type in Northern Westchester County, New York, whose work is to support and advocate on behalf of those in our community who are in need. This includes the operation of a shelter for adults of all genders who are at risk of homelessness or are unhoused, including military veterans; a permanent, supportive housing program for those living with a disability; a collaborative housing, employment and support program for survivors of domestic violence and their families; a rental arrears and support service program for low-wage workers and immigrants, and Fred’s Pantry “our farm to pantry” food pantry for those experiencing food insecurity.

For more information about CHHOP, please visit www.chhop.org and follow @chhop_peekskill.