Food Bank of Delaware seeks Thanksgiving donations by Nov. 11

To prepare for the holiday season, the Food Bank of Delaware has kicked off its annual Thanksgiving drive for food and funds.

The hunger-relief organization asks for the community’s assistance in collecting food items and monetary donations in order to ensure that no Delaware families go without a hot Thanksgiving meal this holiday season.

Businesses, schools, faith-based organizations, community groups and individuals are encouraged to organize food drives throughout the holiday season.

“Far too many families in our community struggle to make ends meet,” said Cathy Kanefsky, Food Bank of Delaware president and CEO. “No family deserves to go without a hot holiday meal. Our neighbors can help us bring hope this season by hosting a virtual or in-person food drive. Food collected from the holiday food drive will be distributed through our incredible network of partners, the on-site Healthy Pantry Centers at the Newark and Milford Food Bank warehouses, and mobile food pantries.”

Two options are available to support those in need.

An interactive virtual food drive fundraising tool allows donors to create a personalized virtual food drive page and invite friends, family or co-workers to donate. The virtual food drive mirrors an online shopping experience where shoppers can select food items and place them in a shopping cart to check out and make a secure, tax-deductible donation to the Food Bank. Thanks to the Food Bank of Delaware’s wholesale purchasing power and efficient distribution model, food donations through the virtual food drive are stretched even further. For every dollar donated, the Food Bank can provide three meals to Delawareans in need.

For individuals and businesses interested in conducting physical food drives, donations may be delivered to the Food Bank of Delaware from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday to Friday, at 1040 Mattlind Way, Milford. Contact-free donation zones have been set up. Donors may drop off in a collection box by the door marked donations and via agency pickups. To ensure donations can be distributed in time for Thanksgiving, be sure to deliver by Thursday, Nov. 11. Items delivered after that date will be distributed through the remainder of the holiday season.

The following items are needed: applesauce, cranberry sauce, oatmeal, cold cereals, pudding mix, canned pumpkin, graham cracker pie crust, canned gravy, rice, macaroni and cheese, mashed potatoes, stuffing, hearty soups, corn muffin mix, canned sweet potatoes and yams, canned peas and green beans, 100 percent fruit juice, hot chocolate, coffee and tea, evaporated milk, turkey pans and frozen turkeys.

For more information or details on hosting a virtual food drive, go to fbd.org.