Out of 100,000 people, nearly 18,000 residents of Putnam County live in poverty. Putnam Community Action Program (CAP), helps to support these residents in a variety of ways, and Carmel Rotary takes an active role in supporting CAP.
 

Carmel Rotary has traditionally assisted CAP in three ways: donations of food and money for the Food Pantry; donations for the annual School Supply drive, and Carmel Rotary sponsors the food and manpower annually to provide a Soup Kitchen meal.

On February 28th Carmel Rotary prepared a homemade beef stew, salad, Italian bread and dessert to 68 very hungry individuals. The effort was followed by setting up a "farmer's market style" table of vegetables and fruits donated by a local grocery store so that the clients could shop for food to take home free of charge. So many people came with such great need that our Rotary Club's usually "sit-down to lunch" at the Soup Kitchen was impossible, and members who could stay, had an informal luncheon at a local eatery after clean-up time.

Through Putnam CAP, Carmel Rotary has had the opportunity to assist Putnam County residents in need, and to facilitate an environment of caring for those who visit the area hoping for work opportunities.

The following is a list of services that CAP provides to the community:
  • FOOD PANTRY: Bags of food are distributed Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Individuals and families can utilize the pantry on a monthly basis.
  • SOUP KITCHEN: A nutritious and free lunch is provided to those in need. Lunch is served from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays at the Grace Assembly of God Church, Park Street, Brewster.
  • MOBILIZED FOOD PANTRY: Pantry food is delivered to clients who cannot access services at the Brewster office and/or clients who live in the outlying areas of Putnam. This collaborative effort with Putnam Associated Resource Center (PARC) delivers food to clients once a month.
  • INFORMATION, REFERRAL and ADVOCACY: Information and referrals are provided to guide clients toward and connect them with community services and resources that meet their individual needs.
  • INTERVENTION SERVICES: Support and financial assistance is provided to help individuals and families through a variety of difficult circumstances, such as prevention of homelessness and utility shut-off.
  • EMERGENCY SERVICES: Assistance with a small financial emergency (a maximum of $50.00) is provided. The Case Worker assists individuals to establish a plan of action and distributes services in the form of gift certificates and/or vouchers.
  • CHILDREN'S CAR SEATS: In collaboration with the Sheriff's department, A new car seat is provided to any child whose family is income eligible. All children up to age seven are required by law to ride in a car seat.
  • FAMILY DEVELOPMENT: Clients are provided with longer-term support and guidance toward self-sufficiency and independence.
  • WHEELS FOR WORK: Putnam CAP has partnered with the Westchester Housing Fund through a grant from the New York State Department of Labor to provide financial assistance toward the purchase of a used vehicle for qualifying applicants.
  • COMMUNITY SOLUTIONS FOR TRANSPORTATION: Putnam CAP has partnered with the Putnam County Department of Social Services and the New York State Department of Labor to provide repairs to vehicles for qualifying applicants at no cost.

In order to access these services, applicants must provide proof of residency and income. The exception to this rule is the Soup Kitchen, which is open to every person who signs in. Soup Kitchen is available to day laborers as well as residents. In addition, because many of the recipients of Soup Kitchen speak Spanish, there is a teacher who provides them with an English lesson at lunch time.