We are all feeling the need to stay well and isolated. Tina Williams of the Wallkill Woman’s Club felt that she had to do something more to help our community. She thought about setting up small supply cabinets for local residents to pick up a food item or home staple and for those with extra, donate something.

As this was her first project, she reached out to the Town of Shawangunk supervisor, John Valk, for ideas. He made a call, and got a donation: two small, glass-doored cabinets on stands. One was placed this week directly in front of the Walker Valley Schoolhouse on Route 52 and Marl Road; the other is left of the court house entrance at Town Hall in the hamlet of Wallkill.

Now Tina needed to identify them for the public, and inform the residents about her plan. She had the president of the Woman’s Club, Anne Barnhart, send an email to the local committees she’s involved with for artists to paint signs. Julie Craner, James Perine, and Adrienne- Gelfand-Perine from VOW (Vision of Wallkill) volunteered. Look for the sign HELPING HANDS as well as painted instructions:

Take What You Need; Give What You Can.

Adrienne and Jim expanded Tina’s idea. After getting a delicious, takeout meal from Elsie’s Restaurant on Route 300 and Route 208, Mirna allowed them to build a crate box and place it outside her entrance. Now people can support their local restaurant AND make a donation.

Look on Vision of Wallkill and Helping Hands of Wallkill’s Facebook page for more updated information how you can help.