After reading about the Saugerties Food Pantry’s need for more donations, a number of village merchants are doing what they can to encourage donations during the holiday season. Needless to say, the pantry is thrilled.
“This is terrific,” said Marilyn Richardson, who operates the pantry.
“Saugerties always steps up to the bat when we need items,” she said, “and it’s great to see many of the new businesses and individuals throughout the community working together.”
Since the article was published, the food pantry has received more donations. Richardson asks that donors writing checks make them out to the Food Pantry, not the Saugerties Area Council of Churches, though they should be mailed to the SACC’s address because the pantry’s Livingston St. location doesn’t have one. Send checks to PO Box 723, Saugerties, NY 12477.
The food pantry is open from 10 a.m. to noon Monday and Thursday and from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday evenings.
For more information call Richardson at 246-6885.
Ashley from Sugartown lends a hand
“Why wouldn’t we get involved?” replied owner Ashley Drewes when we asked her about the food drive. Even though Drewes is closing up her shop at the end of the year, she still thought helping the local food pantry is an important part of being a member of the community.
“Businesses have a bit of leverage with the community in that they are known, so customers can drop off food or money for the food pantry,” Drewes said.
“We all have a wide outreach,” she said of village merchants.
Sugartown Vintage Boutique is located at 114 Partition St.
Village Apothecary charters a bus
For a number of years, the popular Village Apothecary pharmacy has held its Prescription for Hunger food drive for people and pets.
According to Dorothy Turk, pharmacist, and Brittany Simmons, pharmacy tech, it’s become known not just for its generosity but for the way the food is delivered: in a big yellow school bus, driven by legit bus driver Ed Creen.
Anyone wishing to donate to the pharmacy’s food drive can drop off canned goods, cereals, and other non-perishable food, as well as dog food and toys. The food drive runs though Dec. 18. Village Apothecary is located at 31 Market St. l
Fashion show at DIG
The most unique of these drives is being run by Daisy and Van Bolle, the owners of the women’s and now men’s and home goods shop DIG at 89 Partition St.
“We read about the pantry in the Saugerties Times, and we decided to do what we do best,” said Daisy Bolle.
This Saturday, Dec. 17 at 6:30 p.m. Daisy and Van will hold a fashion show featuring clothes and items from the shop’s home goods section. The best part? Anyone can come and be a model in the show. Just show up at 6 p.m. and be ready to strut your stuff.
There’s one caveat: models and show attendees are asked to bring a bag of non-perishable food to the food pantry.
“This is also our way of holding a grand opening for our newest sections, the DIG Mens and DIG home goods,” Daisy explained.
“We will be serving wine from the Partition Wine Shop, and food from area restaurants,” she added.
“It’s a great way to celebrate the opening of our next sections, bring the community together to have fun and play dress up, and collect food for a great cause,” Daisy said.
“We’re calling our show, ‘All Dressed Up with Somewhere to go’.”
To take part in the DIG fashion show or learn more about the shop and its food drive, call 246-3833.
Join the family! 
