The People's Place provides assistance to anyone living in Ulster County, especially the unemployed, the physically and mentally challenged, working poor, youth, and the elderly.
Community Café – A community café open to everyone serving continental breakfast, soups, salads and sandwiches for lunch.
Your Choice Food Pantry - Our “Your Choice” Food Pantry supplies fresh, frozen, canned and boxed food that equals at least three days’ worth of meals to our needy community. We aim to offer a balanced diet of fruits, vegetables, proteins and whole grains based on the USDA healthy food guidelines. When visiting the food pantry individuals are encouraged to select the foods which are right for their family, rather than receiving pre-packed bags. Recipients can visit the “Your Choice” Food Pantry twice a month; however, they can also visit our “Fresh Bounty” area and choose free food items daily. All food is provided free of charge.
Project Santa – Every December, we gift local Ulster County children between the ages of newborn – 16 years old with a package containing toys, board games, books, stocking stuffers, and winter weather clothing. This effort is funded through our Celebrate Santa event held during the summer, financial Donations from the community, and donations of new toys, board games, and winter clothing. You can drop off your donation at People's Place or any of our Toy Collection Sites.
2022 Toy Collection Sites:
Arace Electronics
AT&T Store
Beer World
Bodies By Colotti
Cake Box
Catskill Hudson Bank
Cronin Gallery
Dietz Diner
Exit 19
Gateway
Hamilton & Adams
Herzog's
Hickory BBQ
Hunt Memorial
JK's Wine & Liquor
Keith Bennett Karate
Kingston Catholic School
Kingstone Insurance
Leigh Kelley Skincare
MAC Fitness
Medical Assoc. HV
Mirror Mirror
Mother Earth
M&T Bank
Montano's Shoe Store
O'Connor & Partners
Ole Savanah
Pine Street Dental
Radio Kingston
Rage
Roberti Motors
Rondout Savings
Rough Draft
Savona's
St. George's Church
Steyer’s Hudson Valley Auto
St. John’s Episcopal Church
SwimKing Pools & Spas
Ulster County Federal Credit Union
Ulster County Chamber of Commerce
Warwarsing Town Hall
Wells Fargo
Woodstock Day School
Woodstock Harley
Your CBD Store
We are always in special need of items for 11-16 year old children. If your business would like to become an official drop-off location please email director@peoplesplaceuc.org.
Bag Summer Hunger – This program provides additional breakfast and lunch foods for families with school age children in Ulster County. It begins at the end of school in June and runs until school begins in September. Parents/guardians can visit us once per week to get this bag of groceries (which changes each week).
Bag Holiday Hunger is the same program the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day.
Bag Spring Hunger began in 2019 and takes place the week of Spring Break.
Talkin’ Turkey – provides a turkey and all the “fixings” for a Thanksgiving feast to households who pre-register during October and November. Families will receive a turkey, gravy, potatoes, stuffing, corn, green beans, cranberry sauce, butter and pie.
Fresh Bounty Program – Located just inside our doors, this area offers an ever-changing selection of free produce, breads, baked goods, dairy, and proteins. The items change daily and are first come, first serve. Community members in need can visit this area as often as necessary throughout the month.
The Personal Care Closet - Located inside the Your Choice Food Pantry, this program offers families and individuals free personal care items such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, shampoo, and deodorant.
Dress for Dignity – Twice a year, qualifying individuals can shop our thrift store for free clothing to help them stretch their dollars. Each person in the household can choose 6 articles of size appropriate clothing.
Warm Coats from Warm Hearts - Individuals and families in need of a winter coat can visit our location from October to March 1st and receive one coat per household family member for free.
Back to School Smart Starts – The last week of August we offer school supplies such as notebooks, pens, crayons, paper, scissors, and backpacks to families in need throughout Ulster County.
Birthday Booth – We love helping our community neighbors celebrate their children’s birthdays!! Parents/Guardians can fill out a simple registration form HERE or at our site location during our regular business hours prior to their child’s birthday. Parents/Guardians then come into People’s Place on their assigned day before their child's birthday and pick up an age-appropriate birthday present, birthday cake and party supplies from our Birthday Booth. Identification showing the child’s birthday must be presented when picked up.
Farm Stand – This seasonal program which runs from May to the end of October offers free fresh produce from local Hudson Valley Farms. It begins at approximately 8:30am and goes until 11 AM or until produce runs out, whichever is first. No ID is required for this program. Please bring your own bags. This program is in conjunction with Local Economies Project, Community Foundation of the Hudson Valley and the Regional Food Bank of North Eastern New York. On average, we provide fresh produce to over 1,200 people each Tuesday between the hours of 9am – 11am.
Summer Bookworm Program – This program provides books appropriate for school age children to any parent or guardian who visit our location during June, July and August.
New Beginnings – This program helps individuals start over with simple household wares and bedding. This program is intended for those suffering from tragedy, re-entering society, or first time independent living.
Victory Over Hunger – This initiative is all about sharing with your neighbors. Individuals planting a garden are asked to plant an extra row or two for the People’s Place Food Pantry. At harvest time, these community gardeners share their bounty with us.
Cherish A Book – Our large selections of previously loved books are offered to all community members for FREE and are perpetually replenished by our generous donors. They can be found upon entering our 17 St. James Street location.
Youth Fighting Hunger Resume Program - This program helps young adults build their resume for future employment and college applications. It educates students on food insecurity, financial challenges, and provides a philanthropic experience. Students must be 16 years old and apply on location.
Jazzy’s Pet Pantry – We are proud to be helping EVERY member of the family with our Pet Pantry. We offer pet food to family’s experiencing financial challenges because “Pets are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole.”
Farm to Pantry Internship – This program is educating young people about sustainability, food distribution, organic farming practices, food insecurity, and community initiatives through hands on experience at a local farm and here at People’s Place. It teaches about food preservation, branding, marketing, social awareness.
Information Station – This is an area located at the front of the store that can supply information about the programs offered here and around Ulster County.
Styles N’ Smiles – Styles N’ Smiles offers our neighbors in need free haircuts by licensed beauticians and barbers. This is a monthly program during the Spring/Summer/Fall months.