MILLBROOK, N.Y. (Nov. 11) – The Millbrook Horse Trials, a non-profit organization that runs the largest equestrian event of its kind in the Northeast, has donated $2,500 to the Pine Plains Community Food Locker (PPCFL) to support area families in need.
“This is a very significant and generous donation for which we are very appreciative,” said Patricia Nannetti, who heads PPCFL. “This will provide more than a month’s worth of supplies” to support local families in need of food or other critical assistance,” Nannetti said.
Founded in 1951 and operating out of the basement of the United Methodist Church on East Church Street, PPCFL depends on volunteer energy and each year spends about $15,000 on food purchases. Volunteers visit as many as 40 local families every month to assess their needs and provide assistance. “We try to provide a very broad safety net,” Nannetti said.
Currently PPCFL is preparing Thanksgiving and Christmas baskets. “Everyone gives at the holidays, but people tend to forget that help is needed year round,” Nannetti said. “The economy doesn’t seem to be getting much better, and there are still people who need a hand” when it’s not holiday season.
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The donation was made possible with proceeds from the Millbrook Horse Trials (MHT), a four-day equestrian event held every summer that has come to attract more than 500 horses, top-level competitors from around the nation and thousands of spectators.
“Although the Millbrook Horse Trials is now a nationally recognized event of the highest caliber, our roots have always been local,” said MHT President Louise Meryman, who co-founded the event 15 years ago. “We strongly believe in supporting our community, and I hope in the future we will be able to increase our donation to the Pine Plains Community Food Locker.”
Food and shelter are “the most basic of human necessities, and we want to do everything we can to make sure no one in our community is hungry or going without heat in the winter months,” Meryman said.
The Millbrook Horse Trials takes place at Coole Park Farm on Bangall-Amenia Road in Millbrook. Next year’s even will be held from July 30 through Aug. 3, 2015.
