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Milton Elementary food pantry opening celebrated

December 7, 2019

Milton Elementary students, staff, parents, volunteers and community members recently gathered to celebrate the grand opening of the school’s new food pantry in its interim location.

The food pantry is funded by the Harry K Foundation, and through the Food Bank of Delaware.

“We are so grateful for Harry Keswani and the Harry K Foundation for their support of our school’s food pantry,” said Gloria Ho, Milton Elementary social worker. “In the first year we had 109 students who received food and, over the last 10 years, about 1,139 students have benefited from the pantry. With this space in the current building, we’re able to store more food items for those students in need.”

Once the renovations to Milton Elementary are complete in the fall of 2021, the food pantry will move into the new building with the students.

“There are numerous benefits of having the pantry in our building,” said Ho. “Many times, our staff are the first to recognize signs that a student has food instability. We are on the front line of being able to identify and address their needs. Our staff also has the ability to reach out to the parents and help the student or their family who is in need. Often times food instability or lack of clothing are signs that there is a greater need we should be helping with.”

To date, the food pantry has given out more than 39,000 bags of food and currently has 100 students in the program. Last year, it served over 94 families who used the pantry more than 200 times.

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