A few days ago I wrote a post about Delaware’s extensive array of farmers markets, which make it possible for all of us to enjoy fresh vegetables, produce, meats and dairy products almost every month of the year https://www.activeadultsdelaware.com/blog/posts/2025/06/18/summers-are-healthy-and-flavorful-thanks-to-delaware-s-farmers-markets/. This was shortly after posting a wonderful crab cake recipe https://www.activeadultsdelaware.com/blog/posts/2025/04/28/make-this-special-crab-cake-recipe-your-favorite/ – which reminds me I need to post more recipes!
All of this got me thinking about how important food is. It’s obviously a necessity, and when you have the best ingredients and the time and inclination to prepare it with creative recipes it’s one of our greatest joys. Unfortunately, many can’t afford to buy anything close to what they need to adequately feed their families.
In most cases it isn’t because they’re not working hard enough to earn enough. Feeding America, a data-driven non-profit, reports that 54 percent of the households that need some type of financial support for food – e.g.: from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program commonly known as “food stamps” have at least one family member who’s employed. And because wages in Delaware and elsewhere haven’t kept up with inflation, many households with, for example, two working adults and two children don’t bring in enough to rise above the $31,000 annual take home income considered to be poverty level.
Fortunately, we have significant opportunities to address this problem. Day after day we meet people who are interested in volunteering their time to make life better for other people. Many also support important causes with generous financial contributions. We’re also blessed by a lot of non-profit organizations that are dedicated to solving the food shortage crisis – many with smart business plans that maximize their impact. If you attend services in a church, synagogue or mosque you’ll probably have an opportunity to contribute groceries, money or volunteer time to this cause.
You can also donate directly to the Food Bank of Delaware, which serves people in many locations and at its offices in Newark and Milford, distributing food through a network of partners via local food closets, mobile pantries and schools. The organization also promote long-term stability with job training, financial coaching and other services. Learn how to donate at https://www.fbd.org/.
And here are some additional pantries that would love your support
IN SUSSEX COUNTY
The Shepherd’s Office in Georgetown has a tremendous impact on improving lives for people who are homeless or struggling with poverty. In 2025 the organization expects to provide a total of 100,000 free healthy homemade meals. In addition to serving meals at their office they have a major food pantry and a space for clothing and toiletry donations. You can drop items off Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Right now the items they need most are:
- Pantry items including peanut butter, raisins, granola bars and other healthy snacks, bread and rolls for sandwiches
- Staples such as soup stock, canned tomatoes and canned beans
- Frozen and fresh meats, including hamburger, sausage, hot dogs
- Tubs of margarine and butter, cheeses
You can also donate clothing and toiletries during these hours. Personal hygiene items are also welcome, and right now they appreciate sweatshirts and sweatpants and underwear. Get all of the details at https://www.shepherdsoffice.org/donate
The Cape Henlopen Food Basket also welcomes donations that enable it to provide families with 10-day supplies of frozen food, meats and fresh produce along with supermarket vouchers for milk, eggs, butter and margarine. They’re open Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 10 a.m., to 1 p.m. and are located at 37510 Oyster House Road in Rehoboth Beach. Get the details at https://capehenlopenfoodbasket.org/
Epworth Memorial Church in Rehoboth has a robust program, with groceries available to people who need them and sit-down lunches several days a week. They also welcome donations of food and people who’d like to volunteer. Learn more at https://epworth.faith/food-ministry/.
The Milton Community Food Pantry serves thousands of people every year in Milton, Lewes, Milford, Georgetown, Harbeson, Lincoln and Ellendale. They accept donations on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 12 noon and on the 1st and 3rd Mondays of each month. Get the details at https://www.miltonpantry.org/.
IN KENT COUNTY
Catholic Charities offers several food programs in Dover. The Food Cooperative program helps individuals and families stretch their limited incomes by providing supplemental groceries every month. It also has locations in Wilmington and Bridgeville. You can volunteer to bag groceries for distribution and stock shelves and you can donate good. They especially welcome canned goods, boxes of pasta, macaroni and cheese, cereal, oatmeal and pancake mix, peanut butter and jelly, baby food and baby cereal and grocery store gift cards. Learn more at https://www.ccwilm.org/basic-needs/food-assistance/
IN NEW CASTLE COUNTY
St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church in Wilmington partners with Lutheran Community Services as the largest volume Lutheran food pantry in Delaware, providing three days of emergency food provisions for 800 to 1,000 families a month. It’s open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 9 a.m. to noon and Wednesday from 5 to 7 p.m. Donations of food are welcome. Email office@ststeph.org to learn how to donate.
All over Delaware, the Food Bank of Delaware serves people in many locations and at its offices in Newark and Milford, distributing food through a network of partners via local food closets, mobile pantries and schools. The organization also promote long-term stability with job training, financial coaching and other services. Learn how to donate at https://www.fbd.org/.