Catholic Charities food drive accepting donations through February
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.
“At least one in five of our neighbors do not have enough to eat on a daily basis,” said Richelle Vible, Catholic Charities executive director. “Many of our neighbors must choose between buying food and making their rent, mortgage, or utility payment. Over 3,000 households in the diocese depend on Catholic Charities for food assistance, often on a monthly basis. Our Stock the Pantry drive helps us meet the increasing demand we are experiencing. We continue to need your support.”
Catholic Charities coordinates food cooperative programs at Bayard House in Wilmington, the Kent County Catholic Charities office in Dover, 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, the Kent County office at 302-674-1600, Casa San Francisco at 302-684-8694, or Seton Center at 410-651-9608.
For those in crisis who need 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 over 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’ website, www.cdow.org/charities.html. Designate the gift to Food Assistance.
Catholic Charities will accept donations at its locations Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. In Sussex County, drop off food donations at its Sussex County Office, 406 S. Bedford St., Suite 9, Georgetown, 302-856-9578; or Casa San Francisco, 127 Broad St., Milton, 302-684-8694.
Casa San Francisco and Bayard House can accept donations seven days a week; call ahead before making a donation. For a complete list of drop-off sites, go to www.ccwilm.org under 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 UHT 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.
Catholic Charities, the charitable arm of the Catholic Diocese of Wilmington, celebrates its 185th anniversary of serving those in need during 2015. The agency offers 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.
