County Executive Ryan releases video calling on the community to help support this one-of-a-kind program and thanking those who have contributed and volunteered
Nearly 1,000 contributions have been made to Project Resilience
KINGSTON, N.Y. - Ulster County Executive Pat Ryan today thanked the hundreds of volunteers, restaurants, and donors who have participated in Project Resilience. In addition, he asked the community to help financially support this one of a kind program to ensure it can continue to assist those in need and local small businesses for as long as possible.
Project Resilience, a community fund and local food distribution effort was established to support residents impacted by COVID-19. Within 24 hours of its inception, County Executive Ryan secured over $2 million dollars in funding and announced partnerships with municipal governments, local businesses, and not-for-profits. Since launching just four weeks ago, Project Resilience has provided over 50,000 meals while simultaneously supporting over 100 small businesses by keeping their doors open and allowing them to maintain their staff.
“Project Resilience is an unprecedented initiative that has allowed us to channel the wave of goodwill from across Ulster County to better serve our residents in need. I want to thank the individuals and organizations who have generously stepped up to contribute to this effort,” County Executive Pat Ryan said. “The support from volunteers and donors has been tremendous, but to ensure that we can keep this one of a kind program going we are going to need your help. Times are tough, but if you have the means I ask that you support this program that has kept the doors open of over 100 of our local restaurants, allowed them to keep their staff, and allowed us to directly help and feed residents during this trying time.”
“Project Resilience has been a life line not only for our community but for the small local businesses that participate,” Kevin and Stephanie Reginato of Reginato Ristorante in Ulster said. “This program has helped keep our staff employed with a sense of purpose and that's invaluable in this uncertain atmosphere. Thank you County Executive Pat Ryan and your dedicated staff.”
“Project Resilience has been one of the most rewarding programs we’ve been involved with during this challenging time,” Mary Erickson Owner of Bistro-to-Go said. “Not only has it helped our business stay afloat, it also gives us a deep sense of satisfaction to know we are providing delicious, nutritious food to those in need in our Hudson Valley community. We are honored to be a part of this program and thank Ulster County for helping meet the needs of its residents in this important way.:
“Project Resilience is a win-win,” Mark and Roni of Lydia’s Cafe in Stone Ridge said. “While providing meals to those in need, it has also helped our business keep it’s doors open and our staff employed by giving us work. People are heartened by acts of charity and good will and we are proud to be part of this initiative.”
“Sammy Brown's Restaurant in Cragsmoor is appreciative of the opportunity afforded to our restaurant by Project Resilience” Owner Doreen Brown said. “The meals you have purchased from our restaurant to be distributed in the Town Of Wawarsing has really helped us in this difficult time. We are so grateful for the opportunity that we pledge $1 per meal back to Project Resilience for every meal we prepare in the next week. We hope the community will join us in donating to this worthy and necessary cause.”
"Santa Fe Restaurants is incredibly thankful for the opportunity to participate in this initiative,” Co-Owner Annie Demosthenes said. “Project Resilience has given us to provide meals and help for community members in need, and we are so very grateful for the support this project is giving our local restaurant industry."
“In challenging times like this, we realize our human connection and how we are all in this together,” Arif and Sabeen, Owners of the Hoot Owl Restaurant in Pine Bush said. “Thanks to Project Resilience we are able to keep our chef employed and pay for some of our overhead expenses. We are grateful to be part of this effort, which helps both restaurants and also people in need.”
“We are so grateful to be a part of a community where our government is collaborating directly with local businesses to help us during these trying times while feeding those who are most in need” Owner of Christina’s Restaurant Liz Kyriacou said. “Project Resilience is an example of what’s possible when organizations work together, and we thank Executive Ryan, United Way, and the countless others who have tirelessly worked on this initiative. It’s beyond politics; it’s humanity at its best.”
“We are honored and blessed to be part of Project Resilience,” Elenie, Xenaki and Andy of Dietz Stadium Diner in Kingston. “Being part of serving and helping our community in a time of need is all we had to hear. Our community is our family and family is there for family no matter what.”
You can contribute to Project Resilience through their GoFundMe page. United Way is currently accepting donations and setting a goal of raising $5 million dollars.
A list of participating restaurants and businesses can be found here.
County Executive Ryan’s video asking for community support can be found here.
Through the United Way, nearly 1,000 small individual donors have raised over $100,000. Project Resilience has also received large contributions from the following charities and foundations:
Central Hudson - $25,000.00
The Dyson Foundation - $20,000.00
Ulster Savings Charitable Foundation - $10,000
Mid-Hudson Valley Credit Union - $5,000
Wallkill Valley Federal Savings & Loan - $5,000.00
Bank of America - $2,000.00
The Mary Jane H and Peter J DaPuzzo Family Foundation - $2,500.00
Ulster County Italian American Foundation - $1,000.00
The T. Rowe Price Program for Charitable Giving - $1,000.00
Junior League of Kingston JLKNY - $1,000
Trinity Episcopal Church - $1,000
John and Carolyn Keith Charitable Fund - $800.00
Berkshire Hathaway Nutshell Realty - $500
Exago Inc - $500
The Reis Group Casciaro - $500
There are currently 960 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 16 fatalities in Ulster County.
For additional information about COVID-19 visit: https://ulstercountyny.gov/coronavirus
Ulster County COVID-19 Hotline: 845-443-8888
NYS Coronavirus Information Hotline: 888-364-3065
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