If you are in need of emergency food assistance during the current public health crisis (or anytime!!), Delaware 2-1-1 is the state’s referral hotline! They can provide you with contact information for food pantries and other human service providers that can assist! Dial 2-1-1 or 1-800-560-3372, text 898-211 or visit www.delaware211.org!
Dover drive-thru pantry on March 20 has been moved from Legislative Hall to Dover International Speedway
Food Bank of Delaware hosting three drive-thru mobile pantries for struggling families
To help address increased demands for food assistance amidst the coronavirus public health crisis, the Food Bank of Delaware will host three drive-thru mobile pantries in each Delaware county for families struggling to afford food.
The first one is scheduled for Wednesday, March 18 at 11:00 a.m. in Wilmington outside the Chase Center on the Riverfront. Participants are asked to bring proof of identification and Delaware residency. All food recipients must stay in a vehicle. The Food Bank of Delaware also requests that participants make sure their trunks are cleared out so volunteers can load food with minimal interaction.
The Food Bank of Delaware is prepared to serve up to 500 households at each pantry. Participants are asked to not arrive prior to 10:45 a.m.
New Castle County
When: Wednesday, March 18, 2020 starting at 11:00 a.m.
Where: Chase Center on the Riverfront, Wilmington, Del.
Sussex County
When: Thursday, March 19, 2020 starting at 11:00 a.m.
Where: Crossroads Community Church, 20684 State Forest Road, Georgetown, Del.
Kent County
When: Friday, March 20, 2020 starting at 11:00 a.m.
Where:
Dover International Speedway
(Enter through main entrance of Dover Downs Hotel & Casino)
1131 N. Dupont Highway
Dover, DE 19901
- Partnering with local schools and school districts to make USDA food boxes and donated meal boxes available to low-income families. These boxes can be distributed through schools when families pick up grab and go meals.
- Providing schools with meals through the Backpack Program for children over the weekend. The Food Bank will deliver the meals to schools for distribution during meal service times.
- Working collaboratively with our state and federal partners to distribute food.
- Making USDA foods available to organizations throughout the state. Paperwork and a brief PowerPoint for USDA Civil Rights training can be found here so organizations can distribute these foods.
- Hosting three large-scale drive-thru mobile pantries for families in need – one in each county. We anticipate serving up to 500 families at each distribution. Dates and locations TBA.
- Healthy volunteers- We are in need of healthy volunteers to help pack emergency meal boxes in both our Newark and Milford facilities. Health and safety measures have been taken to protect our volunteers. CLICK HERE TO VOLUNTEER
- Financial support – We are fundraising to cover the costs of increased food distribution and pre-made weekend meal kits for children.
CLICK HERE TO DONATE
- Canned fruits
- Canned vegetables
- Peanut butter
- Pasta and jarred sauce
- Canned meats (tuna fish, chicken)
- Rice
- Hot and cold cereal
- Healthy snacks like granola bars and raisins
- 100% fruit and vegetable juice
A Message to Food Bank of Delaware Constituents about the Coronavirus
With our community at the center of everything we do at the Food Bank of Delaware, we would like to take the time to address concerns about the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) and the steps we are taking to ensure that we can continue to meet the nutritional needs of food-insecure Delawareans.
We are closely monitoring the situation and following the guidance of the Delaware Division of Public Health, Feeding America and the Centers for Disease Control.
The cleanliness of the Food Bank of Delaware is always a top priority for us. As an organization, we have personal hygiene, handwashing, and warehouse cleaning and maintenance policies in place that are adhered to on a daily basis to maintain our superior rating with AIB International, one of the world’s foremost training organizations on food safety.
We are taking additional precautions to protect the health of our stakeholders, while also ensuring that we are able to provide essential services to Delawareans.
- We have increased the frequency of disinfection and sanitation in public areas
- Supplied hand sanitizer and cleaning wipes for staff and visitors
- The volunteer room remains open at this time. We have implemented a strict cleaning and health policy. Volunteers will also be required to answer a questionnaire. Those who answer yes to any of the following questions are prohibited from volunteering and will not be allowed to volunteer until 14 days after arriving in the U.S. and reporting no symptoms.
- Are you experiencing flu-like symptoms (defined by coughing, fever, respiratory symptoms or stomach virus symptoms?
- Have you traveled to China, South Korea, Iran, Italy or Japan within the past 14 days?
- Have you knowingly had contact with a traveler who recently visited China, South Korean, Iran, Italy or Japan within the past 14 days?
- We have updated our business response plan to ensure that we are still able to deliver essential services
- We have been in contact with our partners at the state to determine best practices for distributing food
- In the case of quarantines or closures, we are working with our partners to plan for increased distributions in order to assist and prepare food-insecure Delawareans
- We have cancelled the upcoming CANgineering competition
- Families who are in need of emergency food assistance should contact the Delaware Helpline by dialing 2-1-1 or 1-800-560-3372, text their zip code to 898-211 or visit www.delaware211.org.
Due to the fluidity of the situation, we will continue to monitor it to maintain a continuity of services. At this time as we mobilize resources, our biggest needs are for healthy volunteers and financial donations. To sign up to volunteer, please click here. To make an online financial donation, click here.
Thank you for your continued support of the Food Bank of Delaware!