Catholic Charities sets Stock the Pantry food drive in June

Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Wilmington asks all its communities to Stock the Pantry by contributing nonperishable food goods to help the agency to meet the continued high demand for emergency food distributions. The food drive will continue until the end of June. Donors can drop off food and grocery store gift cards from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday at Catholic Charities' Sussex County office at 406 S. Bedford St., Georgetown.

For more information, call 302-856-9578. Donors may call ahead to drop off food and gift cards seven days a week at Casa San Francisco, 127 Broad St., Milton. For more information, call 302-684-8694.

“This month, families shift their focus to summer vacations and enjoying the warm weather. However, hunger doesn’t take a vacation,” said Richelle A. Vible, Catholic Charities executive director. “One in five residents in our diocese don’t have a secure source of food, and live day-to-day having to choose between making a rent, mortgage or utility payment or buying food. Families should not have to make those choices. The donations of food that we receive from our neighbors help us meet the demand we see every day.”

Catholic Charities coordinates food cooperative programs at Bayard House in Wilmington, Casa San Francisco in Milton, and Seton Center in Princess Anne, Md.

Residents can apply for membership in Catholic Charities' food cooperative program at Casa San Francisco at 302-684-8694. For those in crisis needing food, Casa San Francisco operates an emergency food pantry.

Currently, Catholic Charities serves over 3,000 households each year through all programs. In addition to nonperishable food and grocery store gift cards, Catholic Charities will also accept monetary donations in order to purchase additional food to fill bags for the food distribution programs. Each distribution is valued at $50. To donate online, go to cdow.org/charities. Under “Please designate my gift to the following ministry” choose Food Assistance.

Suggested items for donation include nonperishable and shelf stable items. Catholic Charities needs the following items:

• canned meats [chicken, tuna, salmon], vegetables and fruit

• canned meals [soup, chili, stew, corned beef hash]

• dried and canned beans

• boxes of pasta, macaroni and cheese, crackers, cereal, oatmeal and pancake mix

• jars of peanut butter and jelly

• juices, coffee, tea, hot cocoa mix, instant breakfasts

• shelf-stable milk - canned, dry, evaporated, or U.H.T. fluid milk in aseptic containers

• baby food and cereal

• condiments like spreads, ketchup, mustard, relish, barbecue sauce, pickles and syrup

• cleaning products

• personal hygiene items