Poughkeepsie Business Owner Turns Terrifying Stalking Situation into an Opportunity To Give Back

A local small business owner is using her platform to help local charities across the Hudson Valley.

Berry Bar by Kelli Provides Sweet Treats For Every Event

Kelli is a Hudson Valley native and works as a middle school special education teacher.

On the side in May 2025, she created Berry Bar. At Berry Bar Kelli creates customized chocolate covered treats like strawberries, pretzels, Rice Krispie's and breakable heart molds.

Currently Kelli doesn't have a store front, but that is the long term goal she tells us, or possibly a food trailer. For now she is selling her treats locally to the 845 community and her creations are available for pick up or delivery around the Poughkeepsie region.

Sales from Berry Bar to go to Local Hudson Valley Charities

We first heard about Kelli and Berry Bar on TikTok. In the video Kelli details a scary stalking situation that later turned into inspiration to help others.

Kelli tells us in 2021 she "personally delt with a stalking situation in Dutchess County." She explains further saying:

 After many violations of the order of protection that was and still is in place, and little to no consequences, my fear and sense of helplessness was growing.

Her stalker followed her into a store with cameras and remained there for 7 minutes. Kelli tells us she felt trapped, but later that day a "female officers arrived and took my case seriously."

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The stalker was arrested, but those moments of terror will live with Kelli forever. This whole experience opened Kelli's eyes to the "pressing need for continual education and awareness around stalking and domestic violence."

Through this situation, Kelli found The Grace Smith House. It's a local organization empowering individuals and families to live free from domestic violence by, according to their mission statement on their website,:

• Providing shelter, advocacy, counseling, and education

• Raising the consciousness of the community regarding the extent, type and seriousness of domestic violence

• Initiating and taking positions on public policies in order to provide options which empower victims of domestic violence.

Kelli has vowed to donate $1 out of each order to The Grace Smith House as well as another organization called Project My Day.

At Project My Day their mission is to make an "immediate impact in the lives of youth living in foster care, providing them with emotional health benefits." Kelli tells us

I was incredibly inspired by Amanda, the founder of the organization, and her story. I love her mission of making children in foster care feel special on their birthdays and special events. These days can often be looked over or forgotten. Every child should feel seen, heard, and celebrated.

 How To Order From Berry Bar

If you are interested in ordering from Berry Bar, which in turn supports a small local business and local organizations, you can email Kelli at Kelli.berryboobar@gmail.com.

Orders can also be made online through this Order form and on Instagram. Check out Kelli's creations below and DM her or check out the link in her bio to learn more:

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