Delaware General Assembly encourages community to host food drives as part of 148 in 148 initiative
March 29, 2016
When Delaware’s General Assembly started the 148th session in January they wanted to come together around a common cause – ending hunger. As a result, members of the General Assembly are working to collect 148,000 pounds of food or $148,000 for the Food Bank of Delaware. To help meet the goal, they request the community’s assistance.
“Raising 74 tons of food is no small task, and our fellow legislators are currently reaching out to local organizations – Lions Clubs, Boy Scout troops, religious institutions, and the like – to enlist their assistance in collecting food for the effort. We will need everyone’s help to meet this goal, and we are confident that Delawareans up and down the state will take up the cause,” said State Representatives Ed Osienski and Lyndon Yearick.
For organizations and individuals interested in hosting a food drive in support of the 148 in 148 initiative, the Food Bank of Delaware can provide logistical support from dropping off collection barrels to picking up donations that are larger than 20 boxes/bags. For smaller donations, the organization encourages community members to deliver to the food bank’s Newark or Milford warehouses or the barrel that is located within Legislative Hall.
“After the holiday season food drive donations drop significantly,” said Food Bank of Delaware President and CEO Patricia Beebe. “We are running very low on nonperishable food donations. We know this food drive is the answer in helping to fill some of our empty warehouse racks. With one in five Delaware children living in poverty, the support of our community is needed now more than ever.”
Some of the Food Bank of Delaware’s most-needed items include:
- Canned tuna fish
- Peanut butter
- Canned fruits and vegetables
- Soups
- Pasta/rice
- Cereal
To host a food drive in support of 148 in 148, please visit http://www.fbd.org/food-drives/. A food drive tool kit is also available online. To request a barrel, please fill out the form at the bottom of the webpage. Please indicate that the food drive is in support of the General Assembly’s initiative. The food drive ends April 30.
