“The Ascension Holy Trinity Christ Church Advisory Board maintains its commitment to providing our neighbors with safe, nutritious food and a benevolent setting for all community members regardless of income, faith affiliation, citizenship status, or alterations to federal funding.”
Ascension Holy Trinity Mission Center Background
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The Ascension Holy Trinity Mission Center began in the winter of 2013 as a simple coat drive and distribution to help provide warm clothing to our neighbors in need. The project was housed at Holy Trinity Church, 21-23 Lower Grand St. in Highland. Advertising for the coat drive consisted of handmade signs on sawhorses placed in front of the church’s parish hall.
This experience confirmed what our needs assessments suggested: poverty exists within the rural geographical area served by our parish, and needs for food, clothing, connection, and services are increasing here as poverty moves from central urban settings into more suburban and rural regions. We responded immediately by putting out a call to our parishioners for donations and, with a few basic non-perishable food and personal care items, so began the Holy Trinity Food Pantry.
As word of our ministry reached further into the community and we began to network with other community-based organizations, support grew and has enabled us to address ever-expanding needs. In 2015, we became members of the Food Bank of the Hudson Valley and are now able to provide a greater variety of nutritious foods to our visitors.
Food for the body. Food for the soul.
The food pantry is housed in the Holy Trinity parish hall, while the clothing closed is in the church itself. In addition to food and clothing, we offer hospitality to our neighbors in need. Many enjoy stopping by for company, conversation, and a cup of coffee. In 2016, approximately 20 volunteers have been serving more than 160 households, feeding more than 500 people each month.
The AHT Mission Center expanded its ministry to serve our neighbors in the northern range of our parish when the Ascension Food Pantry opened in the summer of 2015. Located in the parish hall at 1585, Rte. 9W West Park, this initiative enables us to serve people who live along an under-served section of the Rte. 9W corridor, between Kingston and Highland, though our service area is not limited by this geographical region. Ascension has been serving more than 50 households, and new visitors come to the pantry regularly. Ascension food pantry doesn’t offer clothing and is not yet a member of the Food Bank of the Hudson Valley. These are goals for the future.
Both the Holy Trinity and the Ascension Food Pantries serve a diverse population, generally considered the “rural poor,” and the “working poor”. Ages range from newborns to age 80+ and include single parents, intact families of many configurations, and households of one. Several of our visitors are disabled and/or SSI eligible. The working poor who come to our food pantries, though employed, are unable to provide adequate food supplies for their families, but do not qualify for other assistance.
Both Mission Center food pantry locations provide 24/7 emergency assistance. We do not require proof of residence or income to received food, clothing, or other assistance. The AHT Mission Center food pantries are life- affirming ministries that serve a diverse group of people who just need to be fed, to be clothed, to be heard, be loved and belong.
Yes You Can Help!
- Volunteer for the following:
- Food distribution at one of our pantries
- Food pick-up and inventory
- Shift set-up
- Transportation for neighbors who can’t get to pantries
- Donate non-perishable food, personal care, clothing, and cleaning items
Food donation collection box is located near the St. Pauly clothing shed outside Ascension Parish Hall at 1585 Rte. 9W, West Park. You may also bring items to Holy Trinity Food Pantry at 21 Lower Grand St. in Highland during hours of operation (Wed: 10am-12n; 6-8pm; Sat: 10am-12n). Or, you may call one of the listed contact numbers to make other arrangements. - Refer neighbors who may need food and/or clothing assistance
- Spread the word! Share information with others
- Make a monetary donation:
Checks payable to Ascension Holy Trinity Mission Center
Mailed to: AHT Mission Center, Box 1512, Highland, NY 12528 - Other ways to help in your community
For further information
- Phone 845-834-6014 or email Maryelled@hvc.rr.com
- Phone 845-532-2876
- Phone 845-691-8245 or email AHT1873@verizon.net
Thank you for your support
Thank you for your generous support of AHT’s Mission Center! AHT Mission in our community is to feed the hungry and care for our neighbors.
- The food pantries are open to everyone in need
- No proof of income or SNAP card is required, anyone who is hungry will be fed
- The Ascension Food Pantry is open Sunday 1 pm – 3 pm
- The Holy Trinity Food Pantry is open Wednesdays and Saturdays. The schedule is:
- Wednesdays: 10 am – 12 pm and 6 pm – 8 pm
- Saturdays: 10 am – 12 pm
- Emergency help is also available for both
- If you need help and the food pantry is not open, please call
- If you need more information or would like to volunteer or donate, please call or email
For further information
- Phone 845-834-6014 or email Maryelled@hvc.rr.com
- Phone 845-532-2876
- Phone 845-691-8245 or email AHT1873@verizon.net
Food Pantry Donations
Suggested Items for Good Nutrition & Health
- Baby Food
- Canned Fruit, 100% Fruit Juice
- Canned Tuna, Chicken, Chili, Corned Beef
- Canned Vegetables
- Canned Beans
- Cereal
- Dried Beans
- Mac and Cheese
- Noodles
- Pasta
- Pasta Sauce
- Peanut Butter
- Rice
- Soups
Other Popular Items
- Cooking Oil
- Salad Dressings
- Mayonnaise
- Seasonings
Several of our neighbors and household members have dietary restrictions: no gluten, low-sodium, sugar-free, fat-free, etc.
Personal Hygiene/ Cleaning Items
- Deodorant
- Diapers
- Dish Detergent
- “Kleenex” Tissue
- Laundry Detergent
- Multipurpose Cleaner
- Shampoo
- Soap
- Toilet Paper
- Toothbrushes
- Toothpaste
Monetary donations are welcomed. Please designated: “AHT Mission Center/ Food Pantries”. Thank you for your generous support of AHT’s Mission Center.
Ascension Holy Trinity Mission Center Annual Report 2017
The following Service Data are provided for January 1 through December 31, 2017.
Sources are HPNAP reports for Holy Trinity Food Pantry and weekly logs for Ascension Food Pantry.
Holy Trinity Food Pantry (Wednesdays, 10 am- 12 noon and 6-8 pm; Saturdays, 10 am – 12 noon)
Households served: 2,234
Total # household members fed: 7,143
Children: 2,282
Adults: 3,726
Seniors: 1,135
Pounds of food received (Represents food delivered by Food Bank of NENY only. Does not include private donations or produce supplied by partners and others): 37, 511
Guests utilizing Clothing Closet: 540
Ascension Food Pantry (Sundays, 1-3 pm)
Households served: 632
Total # household members fed: 2,152
Children: 749
Adults: 1,179
Seniors: 224
Pounds of food received (Represents donated non-perishable food only. Does not include produce or paper, cleaning, and personal hygiene products): 3,661
Tools for Schools project: 64 signups, 64 bags packed, 57 distributed
Thanksgiving Meals: 53+ (HT and Ascension)
Christmas Meals: 29 (HT signups), 33 distributed; 6 (Ascension distributed extra roasters)
AHT Mission Center Partners
- Andrea, “The Bread Lady” (Bolger House)
- Associated Aircraft
- Bruderhof Mount, Maple Ridge and Woodcrest Communities
- Christ Church, Marlboro
- Community Action
- Companions of Mary the Apostle
- Daughters of the King, Dutchess Co.
- Esopus Business Alliance
- Family of New Paltz
- Family of Woodstock
- Feed Hudson Valley/Chow Match
- First Presbyterian Church, Highland
- Food Bank of Northeastern New York
- Food Recovery Program
- Hannaford, Highland
- Holy Cross Monastery
- Lowe’s, Lloyd
- Office for the Aging
- Omega Institute
- Relatives As Partners Program (Cornell Cooperative Extension)
- St. Andrew’s, New Paltz, w/Tops
- St. Augustine’s, Highland
- Transformation Life Center, West Park
- UNICO, Marlboro
- UlsterCorps
- Wallkill Reformed Church
Other:
- Thirty-five (35) volunteers, the “backbone” of the Mission Center, served in 2017. Sixteen (16) are community members.
- Our HPNAP grant awards, for July 2017-November, 2018= $13,000. This does not include rebates. Adopt-A-Program grants= $210.00.
- Lowe’s Heroes donated more than $1800 in materials to complete replacement of entrances and construction of ramp at HT. Donated labor was not calculated.
- Required Civil Rights Training was completed by all volunteers who work in direct service to our guests. Sessions were offered in July and December, 2017.
- Mission Center Advisory Board completed and submitted to AHT Vestry (December, 2017):
Three-Year Plan for Sustainability that articulates goals and objectives in ten areas for ministry growth and development. Copies available upon request.
Review of Plan is on the agenda for February volunteer meeting.
For further information, please call 845-834-6014.
AGAPE
The Agape Project is a Highland Community Kitchen-Ascension Holy Trinity Mission Center partnership, based on the values of love, compassion, service, and community.
Our volunteers share their time, talent, and treasure through a variety of service programs.
Our mission is simple: feeding and caring for our neighbors in order to grow healthy, beloved communities where all are included, respected and loved. Agape programs provide food for the body and food for the soul.
For more information, please contact:
Casey (HCK): 914-850-2871; yourlmtcasey@yahoo.com
Mary (AHT Mission Center): 845-834-6014, 845-532-2876; Maryelled4@gmail.com
If you would like to explore Agape volunteer opportunities, please click on the link below to complete our Community Resource Miner. An Agape partner will contact you.
https://goo.gl/forms/JRK94l5gwIvRtcRb2
Area Food Pantries
UlsterCorps: Ulster County Food Pantry List by Location
Click here for easy microwavable meals
Advisory Board Website
Click here to view the Advisory Board Website document
Non Discrimination Statement
In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, it’s agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender expression) sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, family/ parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident.
Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the responsible Agency or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.
To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at How To File A Program Discrimination Complaint and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: (1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC. 20250-9410; (2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or (3) email: program.intake@usda.gov.
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.
