Our Mission & Vision
The Red Hook Responds Mission: To work together to help our communities by organizing volunteers and supporting resources to those in need.
The Red Hook Responds Vision: To support food security, inclusion, equality, diversity, agriculture, emergency relief and upcycling to reduce environmental impact, continuing efforts and expanding services with thoughtfulness toward the community.
Red Hook Responds is a nonprofit organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Our Tax ID Number is 86-3237958. Contributions made to Red Hook Responds are tax-deductible to the extent allowed in the IRS code. Donations to Red Hook Responds can help fund meals for members of the Red Hook community in need of support, develop our Veggie Table Program, and provide organically grown produce to local pantries through our Local Food Exchange. Although the crisis seems to have slowed down, the need for community support has and will continue to exist. Red Hook Responds aims to continue serving as a resource for our neighbors in need.
Our Story
On the morning of March 11, 2020 local cafe owner Daniel Budd walked out of a town Economic Development Committee meeting with an idea for a volunteer run community help system. At the same time Red Hook High School Senior, Christopher Donohue had called a neighbor for a friendly and supportive chat. Chris felt the need to do more to help people and called Red Hook Village Mayor Ed Blundell, who sent Chris to Mr. Budd and the mission was started.
Dan and Chris gathered a team of high school and college students along with a few other business owners and community adults. By April 1 a web page with help service request forms, a volunteer portal and schedule, facilities to receive, store and prepare meals, a local helpline phone number, and 501C3 nonprofit fiscal sponsorship. By April 5 the first meals were delivered and hundreds of volunteer were streaming in. During April-September 2020, of the Covid-19 pandemic 8 to 12 live operators were answering help request calls from 9am-5pm 7 days a week. Volunteers were dispatched on hundreds of help services. Teams for services in volunteer screening and onboarding, neighborly chats, grocery shopping and delivery, pharmacy errands, food pantry bag delivery, mask delivery, local food exchange (mini food bank) and delivered prepared meals were bustling with activity and precision. As of November 2021 nearly 700 volunteers had joined Red Hook Responds to serve over 26,000 helps actions. The system also adapted to offer snow shoveling, vaccine appointment assistance, delivery of school made meals, virtual tutoring, and veggie-tables (installed vegetable garden tables to homes in need).
In 2021 Red Hook Responds became a not for profit corporation of New York State and applied for 501-C3 federal non- profit status and a board of directors was named. As Chris went off to Middlebury college Dan Budd remained as a volunteer executive director while also running his cafe business. In August 2021 Red Hook Responds hired its first employee, from its volunteer pool, Jeung-il Tsumagari as full time Executive Director. Dan remains as an active volunteer and founding board member. Chris returned as an intern in 2021 to write Red Hook Responds first annual report. Red Hook Responds continues to grow and serve the Northern Dutchess Community and plans to remain as a community resource for years to come.
Our Team
As the situations in the world constantly evolve, so does our team. Everyone who is a part of our Red Hook Responds demonstrates leadership. We have embraced togetherness and oftentimes we share our jobs. And if or when it is necessary, we happily pass the baton. MEET OUR TEAM MEMBERS HERE>>>
Our Partners
Sponsors:
Community Partners:
If you would like to become a sponsor of Red Hook Responds or partner with us, please CONTACT US!
Reports
Local Food Exchange
Our Local Food Exchange (LFE) — ShopRedHook.com — was conceived of in April 2020, developed during May and launched in early June. The site was built to address an immediate need to connect local farms and food providers with local non-profit organizations to get food to those in need. Starting with our first order on June 3rd of 2020, Red Hook Responds volunteers have processed and fulfilled orders from local food pantries and other non profits and delivered bread, dairy products, meat, fresh produce, drinks, snacks and much more to help feed our community.
Local farms work with Local Food Exchange volunteers from Red Hook Responds to add their available produce to the site quickly and easily, many times the same day it has been harvested. As soon as the produce has been added to the site, Red Hook Responds coordinates with local non-profits to ensure that food is ordered to meet their needs and does not go to waste.
In early July of 2020, we started accepting community donations of food to build up the stock and variety on the Local Food Exchange. We welcome donations from local farms, food producers, restaurants, families, and individual members of the community.
To make a donation, fill out THIS FORM. Donations can be dropped off at the Elks Lodge (7711 Albany Post Rd, Red Hook, NY 12571) or a meeting can be arranged for a drop off at the Red Hook Community Center (59 Fisk St, Red Hook, NY 12571).
For more information, CONTACT US.
Contact Us
RHR
P.O. Box 624
Red Hook, NY 12571
If you would like more information about Red Hook Responds, have questions about getting or giving help, or are interested in becoming a sponsor, please fill out our contact form here: