Love INC’s network partners offer food and more
January 5, 2026
In Sussex County, tucked along East King Street in Seaford, a quiet but powerful mission of service is unfolding every day. Love INC of Delmarva—part of a national network but operated entirely by local hands—draws its strength from 106 partner churches and an army of dedicated volunteers.
Despite what many assume, the “INC” doesn’t stand for incorporated. It stands for In the Name of Christ, a reminder of the organization’s commitment to serving neighbors with dignity, compassion, and hope.
A Partnership Rooted in Community Need
As a proud partner pantry of the Food Bank of Delaware, Love INC plays a vital role in addressing food insecurity throughout Sussex County. But their mission reaches far beyond the pantry shelves.
“We help churches help people,” says Cross Campus Manager Sarah Reighard, “and we foster collaboration.”
That collaboration fuels programs that support neighbors facing poverty, housing instability, and a growing shortage of affordable homes.
Meeting Needs with Compassion—and Strategy
At Love INC’s East King Street campus, neighbors can access far more than food. The site offers:
- A well-stocked food pantry
- Washer and dryer for neighbors’ use
- A clothing closet
- Showers for individuals experiencing homelessness
- On-site case management for assistance with utility, housing, or medical bills
- A mobile case manager who meets people where they are—whether in temporary housing or living on the street
Housing remains the biggest challenge. But Reighard and her team persist. In just the last 2.5 years, Love INC social workers have helped 59 unhoused neighbors transition into permanent homes.
Relationships First: How Neighbors Connect
Most individuals find Love INC through the partner churches’ networks. Once connected, case managers spend time building relationships and identifying the full range of needs.
Beyond emergency assistance, Love INC also focuses on self-development, financial literacy, and long-term stability.
The results are remarkable:
Nearly 50,000 needs met each year, with an average of 100 people served daily—including children, elders, veterans, and those with disabilities.
Serving Those Who Work but Still Struggle
Love INC also supports the working poor—people with jobs who still can’t make ends meet.
“We help them cut costs, make good financial decisions, and teach accountability,” Reighard explains. “Resources are not unlimited. We want to give hand-ups, not hand-outs. We walk beside them.”
When Hunger Doesn’t Take a Holiday
Through a partnership with TidalHealth, Love INC provides emergency weekend food bags for hospital patients who are being discharged without food at home.
The team is thoughtful about what goes into each bag—offering ready-to-eat options for those living in vehicles and doing their best to honor dietary needs like low-sodium diets.
A Community Effort: Food Drives & Local Support
The pantry’s shelves stay full thanks to ongoing support from local churches, schools, businesses, and community groups. Food drives and donations keep this partnership thriving.
Unhoused neighbors also know they can count on Love INC for a daily lunch—no questions asked.
Beyond Seaford: A Regional Challenge
While Seaford sees significant need, housing instability stretches far beyond city limits into the resort communities in eastern Sussex County.
“There’s a large homeless population in Lewes,” Reighard notes. “People see the pretty parts—not the impoverished areas.”
But there is hope. Churches and community partners in those areas are stepping up, inspired by the same collaborative model that fuels Love INC.
The Power of Relationships
For Reighard, the heart of the mission always comes back to relationships.
“We don’t want to leave people where they are,” she says. “Where we see the most change is through mentoring—encouraging accountability, building trust, and walking alongside our neighbors.”
