Food bank launches commemorative brick fundraising campaign

With fewer than 95 days until the opening of the Food Bank of Delaware’s new Milford facility, the organization has launched its Buy a Brick and Help Build Hope campaign to help cross the fundraising finish line.

Community members can leave a permanent mark by claiming a commemorative brick at the new facility. Donors can personalize a front-entryway brick for $500 each so visitors will see their name, or a loved one’s or company’s name, and know that they helped make a difference.

“This is more than just a building – it symbolizes hope for so many,” said Cathy Kanefsky, Food Bank of Delaware president and CEO. “We do more than provide food; we provide hope for a better tomorrow. It is why this project is so important. This building will allow us to not only distribute food, but help our neighbors find long-term economic stability through job skills training, financial coaching and more.”

Thanks to the new facility, the Food Bank of Delaware will be able to: expand cold storage and warehouse space to distribute an additional 3.7 million pounds of fresh foods and 6 million pounds of nonperishable food; create dedicated space for a Healthy Pantry Center to directly serve those in need of food assistance; construct a 4,100-square-foot volunteer room that includes orientation space and a safe, welcoming working environment; create classroom and hands-on work space for training programs in culinary and warehousing/logistics; plant a 3.5-acre garden to grow fresh foods for Delawareans in need and provide a tranquil spot for residents of the neighboring Delaware Veterans Home; and open an on-site café to provide employment and additional training opportunities to culinary training program graduates, while providing a place for members of the public to buy breakfast and lunch.

“What an amazing opportunity we have to better serve Delawareans,” said Steve Thompson, Food Bank of Delaware board chair. “I am so proud to be a part of this campaign to build hope. As a longtime supporter of the Food Bank of Delaware as a volunteer, donor and member of the capital campaign committee, I know the investments my family and I are making in this organization are ones that will pay dividends for the health and well-being of our neighbors in need. With the support of this generous community, I know we will meet our fundraising goal.”

For more information, go to fbd.org/buyabrick.