Catholic Charities seeks public help to feed hungry neighbors

Catholic Charities Inc. of the Diocese of Wilmington again asks all its communities to Stock the Pantry by contributing nonperishable food goods in order for the agency to meet the continued high demand for emergency food distributions.

The food drive will continue throughout the month of February. Donors can drop off food and grocery store gift cards at Catholic Charities locations during regular business hours.

“The economic reality today is that many of our neighbors are choosing between buying food and making their rent, mortgage or utility payment,” said Richelle Vible, Catholic Charities’ executive director. “Families should not have to make those types of choices. Rising food costs are forcing families to go hungry. The donations of food that we receive from our neighbors helps us meet the demand we are seeing, and we continue to need your support.”

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 the programs by contacting the location closest to them: Bayard House at 302-654-1184, Casa San Francisco at 302-684-8694, or Seton Center at 410-651-9608.

For those in crisis in need of food, Casa and Seton Center operate emergency food pantries. Those in need can get an emergency distribution by visiting the nearest location.

Currently, Catholic Charities serves more than 3,000 households each year through both 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.

To make an online monetary donation, visit Catholic Charities’ secure donation site, www.cdow.org/ccdonation.html. Under “Please designate my gift to the following ministry” choose Food Distribution Programs.

Catholic Charities will accept donations at its locations Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Drop off food donations locally at the following places: Sussex County office, 406 S. Bedford St. Suite 9, Georgetown, 302-856-9578; and Casa San Francisco, 127 Broad St., Milton, 302-684-8694. Casa San Francisco can accept donations seven days a week. Call ahead before making a donation.

Catholic Charities, the charitable arm of the Catholic Diocese of Wilmington, has served those in need for more than 180 years, offering a wide range of services to strengthen families, care for children, assist the disadvantaged and build human relationships throughout Delaware and the Eastern Shore of Maryland.