Delaware General Assembly’s 148 in 148 initiative brings in 173,709 pounds for Food Bank of Delaware
May 17, 2016
When Delaware’s General Assembly convened the 148th session in January, they wanted to come together around a common cause – ending hunger. Their goal was aggressive, but achievable – collect the equivalent of 148,000 pounds of food for the Food Bank of Delaware.
Thanks to the efforts of the General Assembly, Delaware Food Industry Council and the community, 173,709 of food were collected during the four-month 148 in 148 initiative.
“We want to express our greatest thanks and appreciation to all the Delawareans who decided to help us meet this goal and lift up their neighbors who are food insecure. Their contributions represented a much needed boost during a time of year when donations typically are down,” said Rep. Ed Osienski, D-Newark, whose district contains the Food Bank of Delaware headquarters. “I also want to express how proud I am of the people who make the Food Bank of Delaware such an outstanding organization. You help make our state a better place to live.”
Inspired by the legislators’ commitment, members of the Delaware Food Industry Council, including ShopRite, Giant Food and Food Lion, also stepped up to help in a big way. They committed 75,000 of the legislature’s 148,000 pound goal.
“The Delaware Food Industry Council is proud to be a partner in the 148 in 148 food drive,” said Executive Director Julie Miro Wenger. “Our retailers help combat hunger in Delaware everyday by supporting the neighbors they serve. We see the faces of our residents that struggle with food insecurity, and we are committed to supporting our neighbors in need. We thank the legislators for their initiative in helping raise awareness of the hunger issue that faces too many Delawareans. We also commend Food Lion, Giant and Shoprite for their support of this drive which enabled us to surpass the 148,000 pound goal.”
“This was the first time we did this and the response was very gratifying,” Rep. Lyndon Yearick, R-Dover South said. “It’s a great example of bipartisan cooperation but, more importantly, of businesses, organizations, citizens and the non-profit community working collectively to solve a pressing need in our state. There is a lot of understandable cynicism in the world today and an effort like this is a welcome reminder of the better angels of our nature.”
“When the General Assembly approached the Food Bank about launching this 148 in 148 initiative, I was thrilled that our elected officials were committed to helping us alleviate hunger in a bi-partisan manner,” said Food Bank of Delaware President and CEO Patricia Beebe. “Hunger cannot and should not be a partisan issue. I am thankful that Delaware’s elected officials recognize that hunger is a problem in Delaware.”
