St. Mary's Parish and many parishioners have previously been involved in providing food for the homeless for many years.  The Dutchess County Coalition for the Homeless has local Churches and organizations who have made a commitment to serve the homeless under their "Adopt-A-Night Program."  St. Mary's had been helping since 1986 when the shelter was first operated by Hudson River Housing.  Since 1992 the shelter moved permanently to Hillcrest House on the grounds of the Hudson River Psychiatric Center.  St. Mary's had selected the second Sunday of each month to provide the meals and has a coordinator who organizes the volunteers and acts as liasion between DCCH and the parish's volunteers.  Each volunteer prepares the food (usually 20-25 lunch bags) and someone drives it to the shelter.

Any new volunteers who would like to act in a positive and effective way to serve the homeless may contact St. Mary's coordinators by calling 297-3961.