Dutchess Responds rallies volunteers, offers relief during COVID-19

DUTCHESS COUNTY — In an attempt to deal with the local impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro used a live Telephone Town Hall last month to introduce a new coordinated effort that will provide food and assistance to residents shuttered in their homes at this time. The online portal, Dutchess Responds, can now be found on the Dutchess County website, www.dutchessny.gov/dutchessresponds.

Dutchess Responds is for residents in need of assistance with food delivery, prescriptions and household essentials during the health crisis. Residents interested in helping out through the initiative, either by offering medical support or helping deliver supplies to those in need, can find out about volunteering and/or donating at the site as well.

Through its connection with local food resources, the county has posted information pertaining to paid food delivery services, food pantries, farm stores, farmer markets, meal resources for school-aged children and other sources on the online portal.

Also, a running list will be established on the online portal for groups and organizations that have coordinated a community relief effort in response to the pandemic. All groups and organizations interested in sharing information about their relief efforts are urged to email DutchessResponds@DutchessNY.gov so that they may be added to the portal’s list. All emails must include the organization’s or group’s contact name and email address; a phone number for the group or organization; the address of the organization; a detailed description of its effort(s); and any accompanying attachments (such as flyers) in Portable Document Format (PDF) format only.

In a recent statement from Molinaro’s office, it was noted that the Dutchess County Legislature has also been helping residents in their districts, especially senior citizens in need of assistance with grocery shopping. To access that service, contact the Dutchess County Legislature via email at CountyLegislature@dutchessny.gov or via its Facebook page at Dutchess County Legislature.

Through the Medical Reserve Corps of Dutchess County (MRC), medical volunteers will be able to assist the staff at the Dutchess County Department of Behavioral and Community Health with disease surveillance, patient case and contact investigations and patient monitoring, while non-medical MRC volunteers will be able to help drive food and medicine to those in isolation, assemble personal protective kits and maintain the county’s Coronavirus Information Line.

Residents can reach that Coronavirus Information Line at 845-486-3555, option 5, for assistance.

To find the most updated information about COVID-19, go to www.dutchessny.gov/coronavirus or call the information line at 845-486-3555.

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