Family of New Paltz: The Human Services Lifeline Serving the Community Since Decades |
From crisis intervention to food pantry to free store — this 51 North Chestnut Street hub runs on 2 staff and 25 volunteers, and it never closes when people need help most. |
If you've ever needed emergency food, a warm coat, short-term counseling, or just someone to point you in the right direction during a hard moment, Family of New Paltz has likely been there — quietly, without fanfare, for decades.
Part of the Family of Woodstock network, the New Paltz site at 51 North Chestnut Street operates as a full-spectrum human services agency serving the entire southeastern quadrant of Ulster County. With just two full-time staff members and a rotating crew of 25 volunteers, the program delivers an astonishing range of support — and it's all free.
What Family of New Paltz Does
The organization's primary functions read like a map of what a struggling neighbor might need:
Beyond those core services, Family of New Paltz runs a free store stocked with clothing, furniture, and household items. They maintain a community bulletin board for employment and housing leads, offer emergency transportation, and supervise community-service and work-study placements. The 24-hour hotline — (845) 338-2370 — means help is available even when the doors are closed.
The Food Program by the Numbers
Food security is where Family of New Paltz has arguably made its biggest visible impact. The collaborative food project alone served 2,680 individuals in 2021. In a single summer, the program received:
That food flows outward too — Family of New Paltz distributes to Snug Harbor, Food Not Bombs, the Rosendale and Plattekill pantries, the New Paltz Methodist Church, and the free food fridge program in the village. The Turkey Trot Tradition
Every Thanksgiving morning, the community shows up for the Annual Turkey Trot 5K — now in its 22nd year. The fundraiser is the financial backbone of the program, supporting the food pantry, case management, domestic violence services, and adolescent programs including restorative justice. Registration for the 2025 Trot is already open. How to Get Involved
Family of New Paltz is always looking for volunteers, particularly SUNY New Paltz students interested in human services internships. Donations of food, clothing, and funds are accepted year-round. Partners include the New Paltz Elks Lodge, Community Compost, ShopRite, and Phillies Bridge Farm Project.
Hours: Monday–Thursday 10 AM–5 PM, Friday 10 AM–4 PM
Whether you need help or want to give it, Family of New Paltz is one of the organizations that makes this town work — not for the people who show up at board meetings, but for the neighbors who need a hand getting through the week.
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I appreciate what they do but I wish the hours went a little later on Fridays. A lot of people who need these services are working during the day and 4pm is tough to make. Just something worth thinking about.
Dana FirthThat's a really fair point. Even one late day a week would make a big difference for working families. Worth sending them a note directly, they seem like the kind of org that actually listens.
62,000 pounds of produce in a single summer is wild. And they're turning around and sharing it with Rosendale and Plattekill too, not just keeping it local. That's a real operation for two full time staff.
greg_np_87Right, two full time people coordinating all that is honestly hard to wrap your head around. The volunteer crew must be doing a ton of the heavy lifting. Really glad they're sharing with Plattekill too, that area doesn't have a lot of options.
Did the Turkey Trot two years ago and had no idea how much of that money goes directly to the food pantry. Signing up again for 2025 for sure. More people should know about this.
Terri OkonkwoSame, I ran it a few years back and just thought it was a fun Thanksgiving morning thing. Had no clue it was basically keeping the programs running. Spreading the word so more people show up this year.