Catholic Charities Inc. of the Diocese of Wilmington, again asks all its communities to “Stock the Pantry” this month by contributing nonperishable food goods so the agency can meet the continued high demand for emergency food distributions.
The food drive will continue throughout June. Donors can drop off food and grocery store gift cards at Catholic Charities locations during regular business hours, or at designated diocesan churches.
“The economic reality today is that many of our neighbors are choosing between buying food and making their rent, mortgage, or utility payment,” said Richelle Vible, Catholic Charities’ executive director. “Families should not have to make those types of choices. Rising food costs are forcing families to go hungry. The donations of food that we receive from our neighbors helps us meet the demand we are seeing, and we continue to need your support.”
Catholic Charities coordinates food cooperative programs at Bayard House in Wilmington, Casa San Francisco in Milton, and at 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; Casa San Francisco at 302-684-8694; or Seton Center at 410-651-9608.
For those in crisis in need of 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 almost 3,000 households annually 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’ secure donation site, www.cdow.org/ccdonation.html. Under “Please designate my gift to the following ministry” choose Food Distribution Programs.
Catholic Charities will accept donations at its locations Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Drop off food donations at:
Main Office: 2601 W 4th Street, Wilmington, 302-655-9624
* Bayard House: 300 Bayard Avenue, Wilmington, 302-654-1184
Marydale Retirement Village: 135 Jeandell Drive, Newark, 302-368-2784;
Kent County Office: 2099 S. DuPont Highway Dover, 302 674-1600;
Sussex County Office: 406 S Bedford Street, Ste 9 Georgetown, 302-856-9578;
*Casa San Francisco: 127 Broad Street, Milton, 302-684-8694;
Seton Center: 30632 Hampden Avenue, Princess Ann, Md., 410-651-9608
Churches accepting donations at press time are: St. Catherine of Siena, 2503 Centerville Road, Wilmington; St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, 345 Bear-Christiana Road, Bear; St. Jude the Apostle, 152 Tulip Drive, Lewes.
As other parishes sign on, they will be added to the Catholic Charities’ website. Please check with the parish for times when donations will be accepted.
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 U.H.T. 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, serving those in need for over 180 years, 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.
*Casa San Francisco and Bayard House can accept donations 7 days a week. Please call ahead before making a donation.
