Holiday Helping Hand is a partnership of the Poughkeepsie Journal and United Way Serving Dutchess & Orange Counties. This program provides support for individuals, seniors, children and families who might otherwise have little or nothing for the holidays.

Contributions to Holiday Helping Hand are directed towards local organizations that provide holiday gatherings, gifts for children and youth, food baskets and support for heating and utility assistance. This assistance comes in the form of food, gifts or utility assistance, and gifts are made through community partners. 100% of your gift to the Holiday Helping Hand fund goes to clients; neither United Way nor the Journal recoup any expenses from your gift.

If you or someone you know needs help during the holidays, dial 2-1-1 for free access to information and referrals to services that provide basic needs including food, adopt-a-family programs, clothing and shelter; legal services; drug treatment; employment support; childcare; eldercare and more. The confidential helpline, funded by United Way Serving Dutchess & Orange Counties, is available from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. seven days a week. It is staffed by knowledgeable and caring call specialists who can communicate with callers in over 150 languages, as well as TTY for the hearing impaired. For more information, click here.

To make a donation, give online or send a check to
Holiday Helping Hand
Poughkeepsie Journal
P.O. Box 1231
Poughkeepsie, NY 12602.

Checks should be made payable to Holiday Helping Hand.