Outreach Programs
Martin Luther King Cultural Center
History
In 1969, during one of the summer youth programs that St. Andrew's had been running since the 1950's, our young people discovered that it was almost impossible for them to find out about their heritage and culture. The Martin Luther King Library was formed to buy books and run programs that would further their education and self esteem. In 1973 the senior citizens who were on the Board of Directors of the MLKCC aske
To facilitate and encompass this new service the library changed its name to the Martin Luther King Cultural Center and became incorporated as a NYS Not-for-Profit organization with 501c3 status.
Present
The Center now delivers about 50 meals to shut-ins each day. It also transports about 500 seniors to doctors, shopping, and social engagements.
d the library to buy a van that could provide them with needed transportation.
The Center conducts after school and summer time educational, cultural, social and recreational programs for children ages 5 thru 12 and a year round job-search skills development and work program for teenagers.
Under the auspices of Dutchess BOCES, ESL and GED programs are also offered at the Center. St. Andrew's supports the Center by providing its building, by participating in funding its programs and thru the time and talent of its clergy and congregants who serve as board members and volunteers.
12 Step Ministries
St. Andrew's provides meeting place for five 12 Step Program groups serving people striving to lead clean and sober lives. The groups meet Monday through Saturday in the mornings and Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday evenings.
St. Andrew’s Food Pantry 
On October 3rd, 2009, St. Andrew’s opened a Food Pantry. The pantry operates from 10 am to 12 noon each Saturday morning. Saint Andrew’s thereby joined the ranks of the many faith communities that are responding to an ever-increasing need for food being evidenced during these difficult economic times.
Our parishioners bring food items to church and in early spring Saint Andrew’s instituted a second offering at each Sunday service with a view to launching and supporting this effort.
The parish hosts an annual golf tournament in support of the pantry. The tournament has been named as a Memorial for The. Rev. Thomas A Moneymaker, Jr., former Rector of Saint Andrew’s, who was known and respected for he advocacy on behalf of the poor.
Moving forward, Saint Andrew’s will seek continuing support from the local business community and from the state. A dozen parishioners participate in various aspects of this service from securing and purchasing food, to preparing menus and stocking shelves, to meeting and distributing food to our guests.
We do not believe that it is possible to give bread as a gift to a person who is hungry. Rather we believe that we can only return to that person what is theirs by a prior right.
We are committed to distributing food in a way that is absolutely respectful of the dignity of our guests. As it t has been said that the character of any society is manifest in how it relates to and cares for its most vulnerable members. So too it can be said that the credibility and integrity of any church community is most clearly evidenced in its response to those who live on the socio-economic margins. Jesus clearly identified himself with the poor. We are ever mindful that he said, “I was hungry and you gave me food, thirsty and you gave me drink” and that it is Christ himself who is always the guest who comes to our pantry door.
Any member of the wider community who would like to participate in the work of the pantry. please call: 845 331 1369
Beacon Community Garden Project
St. Andrew’s provides planting space for the Beacon Community Garden Project to enable families to grow and harvest their own vegetables, thereby making fresh and free produce available in season.