United Way of the Dutchess-Orange Region would like to share an update about the urgent supply drive it is conducting for items of need for residents of Texas, directly affected by Hurricane Harvey.
First, the day of the pick-up of supplies from the Poughkeepsie office of United Way will be rescheduled and will not take place on Friday, September 8th. Once we have confirmed all logistical implications of routing and delivery with UPS Freight in Montgomery, we will provide the exact date and time.
United Way also contacted representatives Tuesday at the two beneficiary Texas-based organizations:Texas Diaper Bank and through Feeding Texas, the Houston Food Bank. We confirmed with them their current needs and ability to distribute the donated items.
Texas Diaper Bank’s representative explained to us that their three warehouses are almost filled with donations that have come in from donors worldwide. However they still have an urgent need for unscented baby wipes, small sizes of baby shampoo, new pacifiers, new baby bibs, travel size shampoo and conditioner.
The loading dock coordinator at the Houston Food Bank assured us that they will be able to accept and immediately distribute any and all nonperishable items that we have on our donation list, including diapers and hygiene items. As soon as trucks are unloading on their dock, Houston Food Bank’s trucks are being loaded up with the items and sent out to their network to get the donations in the hands of those who need it most. They had one new requested item, can openers. If donated canned goods don’t have pop-up tops, can openers are necessary.
We will be accepting donated items through 5pm on Thursday, September 7th at United Way’s two offices: Poughkeepsie (75 Market Street) and in Newburgh (123 Grand Street). For those in the Walden-area, donations are being collected by Orange County Rural Development Advisory Corp., located at 3 North St in Walden, through 12noon on September 7. In addition, Ulster Savings Bank has offered to accept donations at its branch locations through the end of the day on September 7th. See list of Ulster Savings Bank’s locations and hours here: www.ulstersavings.com/home/about/hours. Please note that only NEW, unopened items can be accepted. We cannot accept used clothing in any condition as neither organization will receive it.
“United Way wants to extend our deepest gratitude to everyone who has already donated to this supply drive to help those affected by Hurricane Harvey,” stated Jeannie Montano. “The outpouring of support from across our community has been overwhelming and inspiring to all of us. We especially would like to thank Guardian Self Storage for donating boxes to pack all the supplies in and to UPS Freight in Montgomery for donating the transportation of the supplies to Texas. Through their generosity, United Way can assure all donors that 100% of donations go toward supplies for surivivors of Hurricane Harvey. This is what has made this supply drive possible.”
What’s Still Needed:
· Unscented Baby Wipes
· Small sizes of Baby Shampoo
· New Pacifiers
· New Baby Bibs
· Travel-size Shampoo and Conditioner
Feeding Texas: Houston Food Bank
· Can Openers
· Hand-held Snack Items (granola bars, peanut butter crackers, protein bars, etc.)
· Pop-top Ready-to-Eat items (applesauce or fruit cups)
· Easily Opened, Shelf-Stable Pantry Items (peanut butter, jelly, tuna, chili, beef stew and soup)
· Diapers (size: 4,5,6)
· Pull-Ups
· Any Baby Wipes (crucial need)
· Adult Diapers (M, L, XL)
· Personal Hygiene Products for Babies & Adults (baby wash, shampoo, diaper rash cream, petroleum jelly, etc. toothbrushes, toothpaste, body wash, shampoo, deodorant, feminine hygiene products, etc.)
If you would prefer that we do the shopping for you, you may make a monetary donation here: www.uwdor.org/donate-harveyrelief.
100% of donations to United Way of the Dutchess-Orange Region’s Supply Drive for Survivors of Hurricane Harvey go toward supplies for those affected by Hurricane Harvey.
To read more about what inspired this supply drive and why we are doing it, go to www.uwdor.org/blog/why-harvey.
For more information, go to www.uwdor.org/supplydrive-hurricaneharvey, call 845-471-1900 ext 3120, or email info@uwdor.org.
Please note that once the immediate crisis is over, the hard task of recovery and rebuilding will begin in the affected areas. Last week, our national United Way set up The Hurricane Harvey Recovery Fund to help do just that. United Way assures donors that 100% of individual donations given to this fund will be distributed to local United Ways in the affected areas. Leonardo DiCaprio started this fund off with boost, giving a $1-million donation from his foundation. For more information, go to www.unitedway.org/hurricane-harvey.
