Botanic gardens offer free admission May 11 with food bank donation

Delaware Botanic Gardens will continue its Mother’s Day tradition of offering free admission to those who bring a nonperishable food item for donation to the Food Bank of Delaware. This year, Mother’s Day is Sunday, May 11.

Ray Sander, DBG president, said, “Over the last two Mother’s Day food drives, our visitors have donated 3,000 pounds of food, which we delivered to the food bank.”

DBG members and children 16 and under are always admitted free, but all are welcome to bring a donation item to support area residents facing food insecurity.

Sheryl Swed, DBG executive director, said, “Digging is intrinsic to gardens. We ask you to dig deeper and bring the essential food which is so urgently needed. Celebrate Mother’s Day by giving to the Sussex community and to your mother by visiting DBG on May 11. You can give your mother a gift DBG membership too, so she can celebrate all year long.” Gift memberships are available at the garden or online at  delawaregardens.org.

Stephen Pryce Lea, DBG deputy executive director for horticulture, said, “May blooms invite you to experience the great outdoors – unfurling ferns and delicate flowers. Enjoy a color-filled palette of late-spring perennials in our Piet Oudolf Meadow. We see smiles from our guests as they enjoy this unique shoreline garden with family and friends. Also, we have native plants on sale in May including annuals and perennials. Enjoy this special day engaging with nature. It will free your spirit.”

Cathy Kanefsky, Food Bank of Delaware president and CEO, said “One in eight Delawareans is food insecure. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has halted scheduled shipments of vital food aid, as rising food prices and persistent economic hardships continue to drive demand for our services. Thank you, DBG, for your continued support.”

Food bank most-needed items are: applesauce, pineapple, peaches, apricots, pears, mixed fruit and other canned fruits in their own juices or light syrup if possible; oatmeal, Cheerios, corn flakes, Raisin Bran and other hot and cold cereals; tuna, chicken, salmon, turkey and other canned meats (in water if possible); peanut butter and jelly; rice, pasta and macaroni and cheese; kidney beans, black beans, chickpeas, pinto beans and other dried/canned beans; 100% fruit/vegetable juice; mixed vegetables, corn, carrots, peas and other canned vegetables; shelf-stable milk; and soups, stews and other canned, complete meals. All items are preferred in low-sodium, low-fat, whole-grain options if possible.

Delaware Botanic Gardens is open to the public  from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Thursday through Sunday, at 30220 Piney Neck Road, Dagsboro. 

The mission of Delaware Botanic Gardens is to create a world-class, inspirational, educational and sustainable public botanic garden in southern Delaware for the benefit and enjoyment of all.