Food Bank of Delaware kicks off Thanksgiving food drive

Citing increased need, the Food Bank of Delaware kicked off its annual Thanksgiving holiday food drive two weeks early.

While inflation is cooling, grocery prices still remain high, and as a result, more Delawareans are turning to the Food Bank for assistance. Last year, the Food Bank’s on-site Healthy Pantry Centers were utilized more than 46,000 times. The community’s support is needed now more than ever to ensure that Delawareans have hot holiday meals on the table this season, officials said.

“Thanksgiving is a time where we all come together to celebrate what we are most thankful for. This year, I am thankful for the generous spirit of Delawareans,” Food Bank of Delaware President and CEO Cathy Kanefsky said. “We are committed to making sure no Delawarean goes without a holiday meal. To do this, we need the support of our community. Together, we can all brighten the holiday season for our neighbors in need.”

There are two ways for individuals, businesses or community groups to support the Food Bank of Delaware’s Thanksgiving food drive.

One is to host an online fundraiser, which enables the Food Bank to purchase items that are most in need. The Food Bank’s buying power is strong; for every dollar donated, the Food Bank of Delaware can provide three meals to Delawareans in need.

The other is to host an in-person food drive. For individuals and businesses interested in conducting physical food drives, cardboard collection barrels may be picked up and donations may be delivered to the Food Bank of Delaware in Newark (222 Lake Drive) and Milford (1040 Mattlind Way) Monday through Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Friday from 8:30 a.m. to noon. Participants may also use their own collection boxes.

To ensure donations can be distributed in time for Thanksgiving, they should be delivered to the Food Bank by noon on Nov. 8. Items delivered after that date will be distributed through the remainder of the holiday season.

Most-needed items include: applesauce, cranberry sauce, oatmeal, cold cereals, pudding mix, canned pumpkin, graham cracker pie crust, canned gravy, rice, macaroni and cheese, mashed potatoes, stuffing, hearty soups, corn muffin mix, canned sweet potatoes and yams, canned peas and green beans, 100% fruit juice, hot chocolate, coffee and tea, evaporated milk, turkey pans and frozen turkeys (must be dropped off directly to a Food Bank warehouse).

More information about the holiday food drive can be found by visiting fbd.org/holiday-food-drives or contacting Sue DeNardo at sdenardo@fbd.org.