Vassar’s Office of Community-Engaged Learning and the Vassar Club of the Hudson Valley invite you to join us from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET as we volunteer with Hudson River Housing, Inc.

We will be participating in an Adopt-A-Night! The Adopt-A-Night program’s main goal is to give the public a chance to help community members in need by choosing a night to prepare, cook, and serve a meal. This year, we will be making 100 meals for 100 unhoused overnight shelter guests.

Volunteers can sign up for time slots to support different parts of the process including meal preparation, cooking, packing, and serving.

• 8:30–10:30 a.m. (prep food)
• 10:30 a.m.–2:00 p.m. (cook food)
• 2:00–3:00 p.m. (pack food)
• 3:00–5:00 p.m. (transport and serve food)

All shifts will take place in the open kitchen at the Poughkeepsie Underwear Factory. Volunteers in the 3:00 p.m. shift will meet there to help package the meals, then transport them to Hudson River Housing’s overnight shelter on N Hamilton Street and serve shelter guests.

This event is open to all ages and all physical requirements. We invite all alums, Vassar families, Vassar students, and community members in the area to join us. Volunteers are welcome to bring family and friends, but an adult family member should closely monitor younger participants.

Important Info:

• Because we will be working with different food ingredients, we encourage all participants to share known allergies and restrictions before preparing any meals.
• We encourage all participants to bring an apron, and wear close-toed shoes and clothes you don’t mind getting food on.
• If you will be staying for more than one shift, we encourage you to bring a lunch.
• If there is rain, the event will still be held as we will be inside most of the day. If severe weather conditions arise before or during the event, event coordinators will reach out to all volunteers individually to offer further instructions for the rest of the day.

Space is limited. Please register by Friday, April 12.

This event is part of Vassar Serves, an opportunity for the global Vassar community to demonstrate our spirit of service around the critical theme of housing justice.

If you’re unable to attend but want to join us in working towards a more just world, please consider donating to racial and social justice at Vassar.