Mark your calendar for the return of our signature breakfast event!
Posts Tagged ‘food’
Most Important Meal 2023
Monday, May 8th, 2023Food As Medicine: A Client Story
Thursday, April 13th, 2023Our THRIVES and Emily’s Pantry Nutrition Programs serve people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) in most Hudson Valley counties. These programs view food as medicine to reduce the risks of dietary-related illnesses like hypertension, high-cholesterol, diabetes, and other health conditions so our clients can begin to or maintain focus on efforts on taking their medications every day. When clients take their meds, they can reach viral suppression and have undetectable viral loads—which helps our entire community, because “Undetectable Equals Untransmittable.”
Last fall, Teresa* relocated from Westchester to Ulster County, and it truly became an all-hands-on-deck effort to ensure she and her spouse (also a PLWHA) were linked to the services they need: Engagement and Supportive Services, Case Management, Transportation, and more. She began attending our monthly nutrition health education sessions just in time for the Thanksgiving holiday.
Teresa has been receiving services at HVCS for 20+ years. She says HVCS “saved my life” and is a safe place to come where she doesn’t feel stigmatized, judged, or helpless. The food we provide in our nutrition programs has been vital to helping ensure that her dietary-related illnesses have been managed and allows her to fill the widening gap between the decreasing SNAP entitlements and her budget. Every month Teresa shares the meal ideas that she and her spouse came up with using the items from the bags we provided. She bravely has tried some new foods (Acorn squash! Quinoa!), with some additional hits and misses along the way.
Since it was winter, we encouraged Teresa to get out of the house, to be physically active, and to connect with other locals who share similar interests. She has tried mall-walking and has recently joined a book club. Most importantly, she has established care with new providers that she is very happy with, and remains undetectable and virally suppressed.
–Case report provided by Lissette Otero, Program Supervisor
*not her real name
Most Important Meal 2022
Thursday, April 28th, 2022
Our signature breakfast event takes place on Sunday, October 23, 2022. Tickets start at $35.00 for adults (kids are free!) and sponsorships are available. Visit our Most Important Meal page for more information.
National Nutrition Month
Monday, February 28th, 2022March is National Nutrition Month
Drag Brunch 2022: Ulster County – Presented by PCSB
Wednesday, January 5th, 2022
HVCS’ signature Drag Brunch returns to Gunk Haus in Highland for 2022! Join us on Sunday, February 27th for amazing performances hosted by Trixie Starr, tantalizing brunch entrees, games, prizes and more. This event benefits HVCS’ programs and services, like HIV. STD and Hepatitis C prevention.
All attendees must show proof of COVID vaccination at the door. Ticket includes choice of brunch entree and bottomless non-alcoholic beverages.
Tickets are $35.00 each. Get tickets now – they usually sell out!
This event is proudly supported by PCSB Bank.
Sponsorship opportunities are also available.
For more information, call J. Dewey at (845) 787-1789 or get in touch via email.
Most Important Meal Raises Funds for Food Closet Program
Thursday, October 28th, 2021The 2021 Most Important Meal, presented by Hudson Valley Credit Union, took place on Sunday, October 24th at the Fishkill Recreation Center. We raised nearly $6,000 for our food closet program, which is one of very few HVCS programs not funded by government grants.
Thanks again to our event sponsors and advertisers. View the slideshow from the event here:
Hudson Valley Credit Union Presents: The Most Important Meal 2021
Thursday, September 9th, 2021
Help local people who are living with chronic illnesses get the nutrition and support they need to stay as healthy as possible!
Join HVCS at the Fishkill Recreation Center on Sunday, October 24, 2021 from 9:00 am to 12 noon for a fun-filled breakfast blast from the past. Every ticket includes a commemorative souvenir bowl so you’ll always remember that the most important meal is the one you made possible for someone without enough food.
Fill up your bowl with cereal, granola or oatmeal and your favorite dairy (or dairy-free) topping. Not a cereal lover? We’ve got you covered with hot food items. You’ll also get bottomless coffee, tea and juice. This year we will not have the cereal buffet but all food options will be self-serve or grab-and-go. We’re also dreaming up new entertainment, contests, raffles and of course there will be the silent auction –all while raising funds for HVCS’ food and nutrition programs.
Our food and nutrition programs serve hundreds of people and families each year, and the budget is currently $10,000 short for 2021. We are hoping to raise that–and double–to ensure these vital services remain available for those in need.
Tickets
Tickets are $35.00 per person over the age of 13. Children 12 and under are free! Scroll down to purchase tickets online or call (845) 787-1789.
What’s Toya Cooking? A Free Recipe
Tuesday, January 5th, 2021Our first-ever souvenir cookbook is here! Order your copies online–they are shipping now, right to your door! This full-color compilation cookbook is a hardcover over 85 pages long and will sell for $22.00 (plus a $4 shipping fee). That includes a $10 donation to HVCS. Our staff and board members submitted their favorite recipes–from the healthiest gluten-free vegan recipes to full-on frosted cakes. We’ve also got several all-time-favorite potluck recipes.
Here’s a recipe submitted by our Director of Human Resources, Toya, which was inadvertently left out of the book. But, you now get it for free!
Toya’s Oxtail
Ingredient Checklist:
- 2 ½ pounds of oxtail
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 1 tablespoon white sugar
- 1 teaspoon browning sauce
- ½ teaspoon ground paprika
- ¼ teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
- ¼ teaspoon grown black pepper
- 2 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 small can of butter beans, rinsed and drained
- 2 carrots, sliced or cubed
- 2 stalks celery, sliced or cubed
- 1 large onion chopped
- 4 garlic cloves minced
- 3 cups of low-sodium beef broth
- 1 bunch of fresh thyme
- 1 sprig of fresh rosemary
- 1 bay leaf
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
Directions:
- In a bowl put oxtail and combine Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, salt, sugar, garlic and herb seasoning, browning sauce, paprika, cayenne pepper, and black pepper together in a small bowl. Rub both sides of oxtail with marinade; pour out excess.
- Heat vegetable oil in a large, deep skillet over medium-high heat. Sear oxtail in hot oil until golden brown, about 3 minutes per side. Remove to a plate and set a side.
- Saute carrots, celery, onion, and garlic in the same skillet until softened, about 5 minutes. Add butter beans, beef broth, thyme, rosemary, and bay leaf; bring to a boil. Add oxtail, with its juices, and butter. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer until oxtail is fork tender, about 3 hours. (You can also use a crock pot.)
- Uncover skillet and increase heat to high. Cook, stirring occasionally, until sauce reduces and thickens, about 5 minutes.
Our apologies to Toya–if you could only see what she brings to our staff potluck lunches!
Most Important Meal Online Auction
Friday, November 13th, 2020
Instead of our usual cereal buffet in-person event, this year’s Most Important Meal takes the form of an online auction. It will run for one week starting on Sunday, November 15th:
https://charitygrow.org/Browse/C821127/Hudson_Valley_Community_Services
Gift cards and most physical items were donated by generous supporters. The TV/movie memorabilia is on consignment from CharityGrow and will ship right to the winning bidder. Winners may need to pick up other items from whichever HVCS office is closest to them.
Once someone registers and places a bid, the website will contact them if they are outbid. Since expenses for this event were so low, we already have about $6,000 in profits thanks to our sponsors.
Most Important Meal Online Auction
Friday, November 13th, 2020Instead of our usual cereal buffet in-person event, this year’s Most Important Meal takes the form of an online auction. It will run for one week starting on Sunday, November 15th:
https://charitygrow.org/Browse/C821127/Hudson_Valley_Community_Services
Gift cards and most physical items were donated by generous supporters. The TV/movie memorabilia is on consignment from CharityGrow and will ship right to the winning bidder. Winners may need to pick up other items from whichever HVCS office is closest to them.
Once someone registers and places a bid, the website will contact them if they are outbid. Since expenses for this event were so low, we already have about $6,000 in profits thanks to our sponsors.