Local Non-Profit Seeks Volunteers, Food Donations for Thanksgiving

The  (CAP) sits on Main Street in Brewster, in an unassuming, brick building that houses several other offices. 

Passers-by who are unaware that the organization exists may never even notice it's there.

But CAP means a lot to the hundreds of folks who are relying on it to help make this Thanksgiving a happy one. And to do that, the organization is looking to volunteers.

Last year, according to Director Judy Callahan, CAP served roughly 400 households around Thanksgiving time, through a food basket program. Every year, folks from around the county are encouraged to drop off a "basket" — which can be anything from a festively-wrapped cardboard box to a laundry bin — filled with the makings of a traditional Thanksgiving. 

"We expect the number to be comparable this year," she told Patch, adding that while the program is open to CAP clients only, Putnam residents who believe they are eligible still have time to stop in and inquire into registering.

The donations are only half of the effort. The other is distributing the goods and putting the stockroom back together. Callahan said that in total, the organization is looking for 140 volunteers to serve shifts between Nov. 19 and Nov. 26.

Organizers ask that the baskets be filled with Thanksgiving items, extra food for an additional meal during the week and a $15 gift certificate to a grocery store so the family can purchase a turkey. CAP does not have enough freezer space to hold all the birds.

Here are some details on contributing and giving back to the community this Thanksgiving:

CAP's Suggestions for Thanksgiving Food Baskets

• Coffee, hot chocolate, juice, soda, tea
• Cereal, pancake mix, syrup
• Crackers, stuffin
• Cookies, cranberry sauce
• Canned yams
• Potatoes (fresh or canned)
• Butter/margarine
• Gravy (canned, jar or packaged)
• Fruit (canned or fresh)
• Pie (fresh or frozen) and/or other desserts
• Vegetables (fresh or canned)
• Dinner rolls (fresh or frozen)
• Aluminum roasting ran
• Peanut butter, jelly
• Other miscellaneous food items

Upcoming Local Food Drives

• Shoprite in Carmel (180 Route 52, 845-225-1011): Sunday, Nov. 13 — Non-perishables and turkeys, only
•  in Southeast (North Main Street, 845-279-3515): Nov. 19 — Fresh produce only
• : Nov. 19 and Nov. 20 — Fresh produce only
• Mahopac A&P (3 Village Center, 845-621-1861): Nov. 19 and Nov. 20 — Non-perishables and turkeys, only
  
• Putnam Lake Market in Patterson (74 Fairfield Drive, 845-27905905): Nov. 19 and Nov. 20 — Fresh produce only
  
• A&P in Patterson (3101 Route 22, 845-878-1071): Nov. 20 — Non-perishables and turkeys, only

For more information on volunteering or donating, call CAP at 845-278-8021