Dear Members,

A blessed Eastertide to everyone.  We distributed 73 Easter baskets on
April 16 through the love and kindness of many people.  Again, Linda
Hunt did a wonderful job co-ordinating the event.  We thank all the
parishioners and groups who participated and a special thank you to the
Joe DiMaggio Sons of Italy who donated a most generous Easter check.

To commemorate Hunger Awareness Day on March 16  the Fishklll Plains
Elementary School children conducted a food drive which provided us with
many large boxes of food items.  We presented them with the Society's
Certificate of Appreciation.

Freihofer's Thrift Shop has begun donating bread to the closet which you
will find in the chest freezer in the middle of the room.  We are
fortunate to now have two sources of bread products.

This past weekend I had to fill out an application for HPNAP funding
(Hunger Prevention and Nutrition Assistance Program) for the 2000-2001
year.  The size of our grant is dependent on the volume of people served
so I urge you always to fill out the log in the pantry.  By giving
accurate numbers, the state aid we receive will more closely match the
number of families we are feeding.

This information may help your family's struggle with high energy bills.
Central Hudson has a "Good Neighbor" program to help households that
cannot pay their gas and electric bills.  The program is administered by
the Salvation Army:
Poughkeepsie Office      471-1210
Beacon Office                831-1253

The following points should be reviewed before a needy family applies:

1.  This program should be considered a last resort measure.  All other
aid should be exhausted or denied.  The denial letter should be
available.

2.  The family must have received a final termination letter from
Central Hudson.

3.  The family can owe no more than $750.00.

4.  An application must be completed.  Call the Salvation Army for forms
at the telephone numbers above.  An interview may be necessary either in
person or by telephone depending on  circumstances.

5.  The maximum benefit of $125.00 can be applied for twice in a
lifetime -- a total of $250.00.  All efforts are made to work with the
family for the remaining balance.

Even though these requirements seem restrictive, in 1999 the fund
assisted 438 families for a total of $55,000.

With a heavy heart, we mourn the loss of our members, Sister Grace
Imelda and Wally Guilllaume.  However, we also celebrate their lives of
dedicated service to our community and to those in need.  Please
remember them and all the dear departed members of our Society in your
prayers.

Lastly, our next meeting will be May 10 at 7 PM in the school library.
The schedule for the remainder of the year is:

Meetings   June 14, 2000
                 September 13
                 October 11
                  November 8
                  December 13
We do not meet in July or August.

If anyone has information to share with other members, please contact me
so I can put it in the next newsletter.

God bless you,
Carole Grafer