NEW CASTLE (Sept. 25, 2019) – Department of Health and Social Services employees joined together with the Food Bank of Delaware, legislators and other volunteers to distribute 30,000 pounds of non-perishable food, fresh produce and dairy products to Delawareans in need during a drive-through event today at DHSS’ Herman Holloway Campus near New Castle.

The food was made available through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Trade Mitigation Program, which is providing payments to American farmers for agricultural commodities impacted by trade tariffs imposed by China. In turn, the USDA is distributing those food products to food banks across the country, including the Food Bank of Delaware, through The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP).

Wednesday’s distribution is part of a DHSS effort to distribute more than 1,000 53-pound boxes to eligible Delawareans statewide. The boxes are filled with jars of peanut butter, cans of chickpeas, bags of walnuts and dried cranberries, canned pork, instant mashed potatoes and other non-perishable items. All of DHSS’ State Service Centers also have food boxes for distribution to Delaware residents who meet the income guidelines, and have a photo ID and proof of address.

“We are grateful for the ongoing partnership of the Food Bank of Delaware in helping us to meet the needs of vulnerable Delawareans,” said DHSS Secretary Dr. Kara Odom Walker, a practicing family physician. “Today’s distribution is another way we are reducing the impact of food insecurity in our state, providing families with healthy food items and making sure that no one goes hungry at their next meal.”

“Ensuring that Delawareans have access to nutritious food is a priority for us at the Food Bank of Delaware,” said Food Bank of Delaware President and CEO Patricia Beebe. “We are proud to partner with DHSS and legislators to get these boxes out into our community. With the ongoing trade mitigation, we anticipate receiving even more food from USDA. As a result, we will continue to look for more partners like DHSS to help distribute this product.”

In addition to the box of non-perishable foods, participants also received grapes, plums, potatoes, cheddar cheese and milk.

Secretary Walker thanked state Reps. Franklin Cooke and Melissa Minor-Brown, whose districts are near the Herman Holloway Campus, for volunteering at the distribution.

Legislators from across New Castle County also helped to promote the food box distribution, including state Sens. David McBride, Brian Townsend and Elizabeth “Tizzy” Lockman, and Reps. Ed Osienski, Kendra Johnson, Ray Seigfried, John Viola, Debra Heffernan, Cooke, Minor-Brown and others.

If you or a loved one in Delaware is struggling with food insecurity, you can be screened for and apply for food benefits at DHSS’ online portal, Delaware ASSIST:
https://assist.dhss.delaware.gov/

For more information about the Food Bank of Delaware, which distributes millions of pounds of products each year to its network of 536 hunger-relief program partners throughout the state, visit:
https://www.fbd.org/

See more photos from the event here.

DOVER – The fifth annual Delaware Week of Service, which will take place April 6-12 and coincides with National Volunteerism Week, will be celebrated with volunteer events across the state.

The Delaware Week of Service expands on the weekend of service that Gov. Jack Markell and his wife, Carla, hosted in January 2009 in lieu of the traditional Inaugural Ball. Since then, the Markells have hosted an annual Week of Service and a special Governor’s Week of Service during the governor’s second inauguration.

“The annual Week of Service highlights the incredible outpouring of kindness displayed toward friends, neighbors and total strangers every day across our state,” Gov. Markell said. “Our volunteers make an incredible impact on our state, whether they are mentoring children, renovating buildings, cleaning up our natural resources, delivering meals to seniors or performing countless other activities. This week will allow us to highlight their contributions, but, as I am repeatedly told by volunteers, they personally get so much out of the experience of helping others. We are pleased to bring together the State Office of Volunteerism, the Governor’s Commission for Community and Volunteer Service, and other organizations to continue building on the spirit of service that is helping Delaware to reach our potential.”

In 2012, more than 188,000 Delawareans volunteered, contributing 23.3 million hours of service to nonprofit and community organizations, according to the Corporation for National & Community Service.

At https://volunteer.delaware.gov, organizations can register their needs and volunteer opportunities, and individuals and groups can log on and choose a project. Carla Markell urged those interested in being involved with the Week of Service to visit https://volunteer.delaware.gov and search for opportunities using the keyword “Week of Service.”  Both one-time and ongoing volunteer opportunities are posted.

“The website is a great way to track the progress we’re making as a state of dedicated volunteers,” Carla Markell said. “I look forward to working with the fantastic Delawareans who volunteer during our Week of Service and beyond.”

Governor Markell and First Lady, Carla Markell, are calling on Delawareans to seek out special volunteer projects to mark the annual Week of Service, April 6-12.  Visit https://volunteer.delaware.gov  often to find more exciting Week of Service events and for more ways to give back every day, visit https://volunteer.delaware.gov

Week of Service Opportunities

Sunday, April 6

Road cleaning by Zakat Foundation

10 a.m.-noon, meet at Central Green (the quad near the intersection of 896 and East Delaware Avenue in Newark). Look for Zakat Foundation tent.

ZF has adopted a road in Newark and volunteers clean up the road three to four times a year. This is a great family outing. It usually takes 1-2 hours to clean, with picnic style food available at the end. ZF’s adopted road is on the campus of University of Delaware. East Delaware Avenue, between West Main Street (formerly Elkton Road) and Library Road. This is the road parallel to Main Street. For questions or to register, call: (302) 533-2334.

Monday, April 7

2014 Great Closet Clean Out! A Great Dames Career Clothing Drive
8:30 a.m.-1 p.m., several locations.

A Delaware Week of Service project sponsored by Great Dames, Inc. in collaboration with  the State Office of Volunteerism, United Way of Delaware, NAWBO Delaware, and Pettinaro Relocation. What we need: Consignment-quality, new or nearly new, clean career clothing for women and men. Who will benefit: Wilmington Senior Center “City Styles Shop,” Clothing Bank of Delaware, and Great Stuff (Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition). For more information, contact Heather Cassey, heatherhake@great-dames.com or (610) 389-4710.

Drop-off locations:

• Greenville Place Apartments, Tower I, 210 Presidential Drive, Wilmington
• Wilmington Senior Center “City Styles Thrift Shop,” 1901 N. Market St, Wilmington
• United Way of Delaware, 625 N. Orange St., Wilmington
• Great Dames Headquarters, 706 Fox Hunt Drive, Kennett Square, Pa.

Tuesday April 8

Teen Volunteer Fair

7-8:30 p.m., Bear Library, intersection of U.S. 40 and Del. 7, Bear

Many local organizations will be on hand to answer teens’ questions about volunteering and get them started.

Wednesday, April 9

Clean-Up at Little Sisters of the Poor, Salesianum students volunteering

9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Little Sisters of the Poor, 185 Salem Church Road, Newark. Event full; closed.
Twenty Salesianum students will visit Little Sisters of the Poor for volunteer service. To learn how about volunteering for this organization, contact Mary Cella, volnewark@littlesistersofthepoor.org

Volunteer Orientation at Habitat ReStore

5:30-6:30 p.m., Central Delaware Habitat for Humanity ReStore, 544 Webbs Lane, Dover.

The orientation will highlight the role of the ReStore in Habitat’s overall mission, as well as the many different volunteer opportunities that are available in the ReStore. For more information, contact Allison at (302) 346-0220 or email restore@centraldelawarehabitat.org. Find out more about ReStore, at www.centraldelawareahbitat.org.

Friday, April 11

Governor, his staff and Cabinet at Habitat for Humanity Build

9:30-11:30 a.m., Gov. Jack Markell, his staff and Cabinet members will assist Central Delaware Habitat for Humanity on a build at 7 Fourth Street, Frederica. They will do drywall and exterior work.

South Dover Elementary trail clearing and garden development. Event full; closed.

The South Dover Elementary “Honey Bee” service club, along with parents, AmeriCorps members, and possibly military members will clear trails around the school and start a garden. This also coincides with Global Youth Service Day. For more information, contact Monica.fisher@delaware.gov

Saturday, April 12

State Parks Park Clean-up. Event full; closed.

9-11:30 a.m., Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, in partnership with Wilmington Head Start, Warner Elementary School, the 76ers, the 87ers, the Boys and Girls Club, Project Chance Club, civic organizations and Wilmington State Parks, will re-mulch the playground near 18th and Van Buren streets across from Warner Elementary. For more information, contact DNREC at (302) 739-9193 or glen.stubbolo@delaware.gov

Habitat for Humanity Builder’s Dash

8 a.m., Fordham Brewery, 1284 Mc D Drive, Dover. Event will include a 5K walk/run, beer samples and tours from Fordham and Old Dominion Brewing Company, music, food, and more.

To become a Builders Dash sponsor or for more information, call (302) 526-2366 or email stwilley@centraldelawarehabitat.org. Additional information is available at www.centraldelawarehabitat.org

Paws for People’s Easter Bone Event

12:30-3 p.m., Blue Hen Bed & Breakfast, 1202 Nottingham Road, Newark. To learn more, (302) 351-5622 or visit www.PAWSforpeople.org

Reach Academy Clean-Up

9 a.m.-noon, Reach Academy for Girls, 170 Lukens Drive, New Castle. School clean-up and flower planingto beautify the area. To learn more, call Amanda Hendrickson at (302) 654-3720 or Amanda.hendrickson@reach.k12.de.us

Christina River Watershed Cleanup

8 a.m.-noon, join an army of volunteers collecting riverside litter. Visit ChristinaRiverCleanup.org to sign up for a stream near you. These include the Christina River, Naamans Creek, Red Clay Creek and White Clay Creek. Those who help will receive a free T-shirt, while supplies last, and credit toward any volunteer requirements they may have. For more information or to register, www.ChristinaRiverCleanup.org  or call (302) 838-1897.

A.I. DuPont Hospital for Children Food Drive (closed event)

Nemours/A.I. DuPont Hospital for Children will embark on its first Nemours Cares Day as it culminates an employee food drive to benefit the food closets at all State Service Centers, as well as the families who stay at the Ronald McDonald House while their children are hospitalized. Basic food items will be collected along with gift cards that can be used at local grocery stores. Nemours volunteers will gather, sort and deliver the food on April 12 to the Hudson State Service Center in Newark, the Williams State Service Center in Dover and the Milford State Service Center. To learn more about the drive, contact John Grabusky, jgrabusk@nemours.org or call (302) 444-9056. No more event volunteers are needed.

For more information, go to https://volunteer.delaware.gov, or contact Carrie Hart, Volunteer Service Administrator, at (302) 857-5006.

NEW CASTLE – Because of the extreme weather conditions, Sussex County Code Purple shelter organizers announced Monday that people in need of overnight sanctuary will remain at Epworth United Methodist Church, 19285 Holland Glade Road, Rehoboth Beach.

Beginning Tuesday and continuing through Thursday, the shelter location is expected to be moved to Faith United Methodist Church, 37439 Oyster House Road, Rehoboth Beach. The shelter was expected to be moved to Faith United beginning on Monday night.

At both locations, doors open at 5:30 p.m. The facility does not have the capacity to house families; only single individuals can be hosted at this time.

For more information, call Nan Ruhl, director of Immanuel Shelter, at (302) 604-2619. Ruhl said the overnight sanctuary will take individuals who are homeless in Kent County or elsewhere who can get to the shelter.

CENTRALIZED INTAKE: HOMELESS PREVENTION RESPONSE SYSTEM

Centralized Intake is a statewide program that provides an efficient and effective process for assessing individuals and families who are experiencing a housing crisis, identifying the most appropriate housing intervention needed to end their episode of homelessness, and referring them to crisis services and/or shelter to meet their immediate needs.

Anyone experiencing a housing crisis is urged to call 2-1-1.  The operator will ask a few questions to determine if they would benefit from prevention services in the community or if they need to be assessed by a housing specialist.   

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