United Way's The Children's Corner gives necessities to local families in need

Armed with a big black plastic bag, Minister Clarice Murphy made her way down the staircase at the the United Way of the Dutchess-Orange Region's Poughkeepsie office.

In the building’s basement, among the piles of adult clothing, books, and household items assembled for the organization's Day of Sharing, was a new room: The Children's Corner, filled with baby clothing, diapers, children’s toys and other essentials.

Murphy scanned the room Friday morning, looking for “children’s clothing, coats — anything that could help supply a family in the winter,” she said.

“When I look around this room and see all the things you can get for just the little guys, it means so much.”

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The Children’s Corner is UWDOR’s newest addition to Day of Sharing, which takes place four times throughout the year.

On the Day of Sharing, representatives from local nonprofits, faith-based organizations, and schools are able to visit the United Way, browse everyday items that have been donated, and pick out pieces that best serve their organization or program’s needs. The new room fills a need shared by many in need in the community, according to United Way leaders.

Murphy is the coordinator of the Dutchess County Toys for Tots program and Wassaic Ladies Auxiliary Adopt a Family program. She said she receives money from Holiday Helping Hand, a joint project between the United Way and the Poughkeepsie Journal that raises money during the holiday season, to purchase gifts and warm clothing for those in need.

But with shopping for growing children, and the growing prices in stores, Murphy said The Children’s Corner can help offset the costs of providing local youth with winter clothing.

“When you go to the store to attempt to buy them, the prices are up. Even though there are sales, there are discounts, and I’m the coupon queen — I still have a difficult time matching all the families. There are large families,” Murphy said. “You find children have outgrown the coats, they’ve been passed down to younger siblings. They’re outgrowing clothing ... a lot of items I can't buy, because the prices are a little difficult.” 

The Day of Sharing has regularly supplied those in need with many necessities geared toward adults, including work attire, coats, books, and home and kitchen supplies. The Children's Corner is meant to satisfy common requests from those who have attended in the past.

“They would fill out a form, and every time we’d say, ‘What is it that you’re missing?’ And they would say, ‘We need kids items, we need children’s items,’ " Jeannie Montano, president and CEO of UWDOR, said.

Then, a local school nurse called United Way, asking if they had basic essential items for young children, such as underwear or socks.

“We put out a community drive and stocked a conference room upstairs, floor to ceiling, with hygiene items, basic need items for young children,” said Rachel Johnson, vice president of resource development. “We got that back to the school nurse and those who need it in under two weeks. It was great. But then the calls continued to come in … that’s when we needed something sustainable, something permanent.”

Representatives from between 20 and 30 nonprofits or schools attend each Day of Sharing, including those form Hudson River Housing, Grace Smith House, Catholic Charities, and Exodus Transition Community. Items are collected from individual and family donors, local community leaders, as well as retailers and other businesses, according to Jazmin Awada, community building VISTA at United Way.

Awada said infant necessities — which were provided by the Children’s Medical Group — are one of the most important donations to The Children’s Corner.

“Diapers can get really expensive for families,” she said, adding that wipes, soap and lotions are also key donations.

The Children's Corner had a "soft opening" Friday, but United Way will be renovating the Day of Sharing space, Montano said.

Renovations are slated to take place throughout early 2018, and The Children's Corner will have its official opening upon completion. 

Abbott Brant: abrant@poughkeepsiejournal.com; 845-437-4809; Twitter: @AbbottBrantPoJo