DART will hold its 22^nd annual “Stuff The Bus” Thanksgiving Food Drive throughout the State starting on November 11 and ending on November 16, with a goal of collecting 20 tons of non-perishable food for Delawareans in need of food assistance.  And, we need the public’s help to achieve the goal. 

“Stuff The Bus” will be collecting food at seven sites throughout the State.  The site locations, collection dates, and times are:

Monday, November 11: Acme, 18578 Coastal Highway, Rehoboth, 9 AM – 4 PM

Tuesday, November 12: Walmart, 939 N. DuPont Highway, Milford, 8 AM – 6 PM AND

Safeway, 190 John Hunn Brown Rd., Dover, 8 AM – 6 PM         

(Corner of S. Bay Rd. at S. Little Creek Rd.)

Wednesday, November 13:  NEW  ShopRite of First State Plaza, 1600 W. Newport Pike, Stanton, 9 AM – 4 PM

Thursday, November 14: Rodney Square, Market Street side, Wilmington, 7 AM – 5 PM

Friday, November 15:  NEW  ShopRite of Brandywine Commons, 1300 Rocky Run Parkway, Wilmington, 9 AM – 4 PM

Saturday, November 16:  NEW  ShopRite of Four Seasons, 700 Plaza Dr., Newark, 9 AM – 4 PM

As part of our annual food drive, we’ll have live radio broadcasts; come out to meet the stations’ deejays on:

Monday, November 11: Acme in Rehoboth – Delaware 105.9 will broadcast live from 11 AM – 1 PM and The Vault 103.5/106.1 will be live from 2 PM – 4 PM

Tuesday, November 12: Walmart in Milford – EAGLE 97.7 from 6 AM – 6 PM

Tuesday, November 12: Safeway in Dover – COOL 101.3 from 6 AM – 6 PM

Wednesday, November 13: ShopRite of First State Plaza – WSTW 93.7 from 10 AM – 2 PM

Thursday, November 14: Rodney Square in Wilmington – WJBR from 11 AM – 1 PM

Friday, November 15: ShopRite of Brandywine Commons – WDEL will broadcast live from 12 PM – 4 PM

Saturday, November 16: ShopRite of Four Seasons – WJBR from 11 AM – 1 PM

DART also encourages the public to donate directly to the Food Bank of Delaware; if they are unable to visit any of the “Stuff The Bus” collection sites.  For more information on donating food, contact the Food Bank at 302-292-1305, or visit their website at www.FBD.org.

The Food Bank of Delaware is a nonprofit agency committed to ending hunger in Delaware.  According to the Food Bank, annually 1 in 8 people in Delaware rely on the Food Bank’s partners and programs for food assistance and 25 percent are children. 

The Delaware Transit Corporation, a subsidiary of the Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT), operates DART First State.  For more information, please visit www.DartFirstState.com or call 1-800-652-DART.  Real-Time Bus Information and DART Pass, the mobile fare payment option, are both available on the free DART Transit App (iOS and Android). 

DOVER – The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) is advising Delawareans of a multi-state outbreak of Salmonella Reading infections linked to raw turkey products. According to the CDC, 164 people infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Reading have been reported in 35 states, including one person in Delaware. Of the cases reported nationally, 63 people have been hospitalized. No Delawareans have been hospitalized. No deaths have been reported from Delaware. One death was reported from California.

The CDC says the outbreak strain has been identified in samples taken from raw turkey pet food, raw turkey products and live turkeys. Of the 85 people interviewed, 44 (52 percent) reported preparing or eating turkey products that were purchased raw, including ground turkey, turkey pieces and whole turkey. People who were ill reported buying many different brands of raw turkey products from multiple stores. Additionally, three of the 85 people who were interviewed said they became sick after pets in their home ate raw ground turkey pet food. Another three people interviewed worked in a facility that raises or processes turkeys, or lived with someone who did.

A single, common supplier of raw turkey products or of live turkeys has not been identified. As we approach the Thanksgiving holiday period, the CDC is not advising consumers to avoid eating properly cooked turkey, and is not advising retailers to stop selling raw turkey products. However, individuals should follow these steps to help prevent Salmonella infection from raw turkey:

• Always handle raw turkey carefully and cook it thoroughly to prevent food poisoning. This outbreak is a reminder that raw turkey can have germs that spread around food preparation areas and will make you sick.
• Wash your hands. Salmonella infections can spread from one person to another if hands have Salmonella germs on them. Wash hands before and after preparing or eating food, after contact with animals, and after using the restroom or changing diapers.
• Cook raw turkey thoroughly to kill harmful germs. Turkey breasts, whole turkeys, and ground poultry, including turkey burgers, casseroles, and sausage, should always be cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F to kill harmful germs. Leftovers should be reheated to 165°F. Use a food thermometer to check, and place it in the thickest part of the food.
• Don’t spread germs from raw turkey around food preparation areas. Washing raw poultry before cooking is not recommended. Germs in raw poultry juices can spread to other areas and foods. Thoroughly wash hands, counters, cutting boards, and utensils with warm, soapy water after they are touched by raw turkey. Use a separate cutting board for raw turkey and other raw meats if possible.
• CDC does not recommend feeding raw diets to pets. Germs like Salmonella in raw pet food can make your pets sick. Your family also can get sick by handling the raw food or by taking care of your pet.
• Thaw turkey (https://www.cdc.gov/features/turkeytime/index.html) in the refrigerator, in a sink of cold water that is changed every 30 minutes, or in the microwave. Never thaw your turkey by leaving it out on the counter.

Most people with Salmonella infections develop diarrhea, fever and stomach cramps 12 to 72 hours after being exposed to the bacteria. The illness usually lasts four to seven days, and most people recover without treatment. Children younger than 5, adults older than 65, and people with weakened immune systems are more likely to have severe illness.

People who experience these symptoms should seek medical attention.

For more information about this outbreak, visit https://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/reading-07-18/index.html . For more information about preventing Salmonella infection, visit https://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/general/prevention.html.

A person who is deaf, hard-of-hearing, deaf-blind or speech-disabled can call the DPH phone number above by using TTY services. Dial 7-1-1 or 800-232-5460 to type your conversation to a relay operator, who reads your conversation to a hearing person at DPH. The relay operator types the hearing person’s spoken words back to the TTY user. To learn more about TTY availability in Delaware, visit http://delawarerelay.com.

The Department of Health and Social Services is committed to improving the quality of the lives of Delaware’s citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations. DPH, a division of DHSS, urges Delawareans to make healthier choices with the 5-2-1 Almost None campaign: eat 5 or more fruits and vegetables each day, have no more than 2 hours of recreational screen time each day (includes TV, computer, gaming), get 1 or more hours of physical activity each day, and drink almost no sugary beverages.

The Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) announced that during the five-day Thanksgiving holiday travel period 1,200,235 vehicle trips were totaled at the I-95 Newark, SR 1 Biddles Corner, and Dover Toll Plazas. It is estimated that more than $3 million dollars in revenue was collected by Delaware’s toll plazas during this time frame.

Click on the link below to see traffic counts at each toll plaza and a comparison of traffic totals over the past three years during the Thanksgiving holiday.

Thanksgiving Toll Plaza Traffic Counts

DOVER – Many of us look forward to our annual Thanksgiving feast. Who doesn’t like to over indulge in stuffing, mashed potatoes, and a selection of pies? But this annual tradition is the start of the holiday eating season which often leads to weight gain of a pound or more that often does not leave when the holidays do! So what can you do? The Division of Public Health (DPH) is encouraging everyone to make a healthy holiday plan now, that balances calorie intake with exercise.

“Balancing the foods you eat and the beverages you consume with the calories you burn being physically active, is the winning formula to prevent weight gain during the holidays,” said DPH Director Dr. Karyl Rattay. “Making healthier food choices and increasing your physical activity reduces the risk for chronic diseases, including obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and certain cancers, while improving mental health and wellness.” The best way to know if you are achieving balance is to weigh yourself at least once a week.” Dr. Rattay recommends that individuals work hard to not gain any weight during the next six weeks, as even 2-3 pounds can be very difficult to lose.

While exercise should already be a part of your routine to live a healthy lifestyle, DPH recommends adding to your fitness routine now, and making a plan to keep up your increased level of activity through the New Year. Take longer or additional walks throughout your day/week, add in a few extra sets with the weights, or spend more time on that exercise bike. It is also a great time to try something new, like signing up for an exercise class you’ve been wanting to try out. If you don’t already have a regular exercise routine, talk with your primary care provider or a fitness coach about the best way to start one.

The holidays are also time when many of us re-connect with our families. So make fitness as much of a family event as your Thanksgiving meal. Take a walk early in the day and then again after dinner. Other suggestions include playing outdoor games like flag football, soccer, basketball or anything else that gets your heart rate going.

Those of you who plan to travel over the Thanksgiving holiday don’t have to sacrifice your workout routine just because you aren’t near your gym. Visit DPH’s www.getupanddosomething.org website to learn a great bodyweight workout created by a personal trainer to the stars! The site also has tons of videos, and articles from a several sources on a variety of exercise routines, and healthy eating tips like ‘How to Avoid After Dinner Snacking.’

And don’t think just incorporating or adding exercise into your lifestyle alone, gives you a free pass to overindulge. Here are some tips for consideration when it comes to your Thanksgiving meal:

• Go easy on your portions. Know what a serving of each item is and stick to it. As tempting as it is, skip going back for a second round.
• Incorporate healthier food choices into the meal. Make sure you have a variety of salads, and high protein foods available to balance out the carb heavy dishes.
• If serving appetizers, serve fruit or vegetable trays, salsa or low-fat dips.
• Cook using non-stick pans and skillets, to reduce or eliminate using oil when cooking.
• Cut back on sugar, salt and fat as you are cooking. Use herbs and spices instead or look for healthier substitutes such as:
– Use fat-free chicken broth to baste the turkey and make gravy;
– Use sugar substitutes in place of sugar and/or fruit purees instead of oil in baked goods;
– Try plain yogurt or fat-free sour cream in creamy dips, mashed potatoes, and casseroles.
• Make water your drink of choice. Drinking plenty of water helps stomachs feel full, while drinking caffeinated or alcoholic beverages can dehydrate you.

For more information on healthy eating options, visit DPH’s 5-2-1 Almost None campaign webpage.

Delaware Health and Social Services is committed to improving the quality of the lives of Delaware’s citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations. DPH, a division of DHSS, urges Delawareans to make healthier choices with the 5-2-1 Almost None campaign: eat 5 or more fruits and vegetables each day, have no more than 2 hours of recreational screen time each day (includes TV, computer, gaming), get 1 or more hours of physical activity each day, and drink almost no sugary beverages.

Wilmington, DE – In his weekly message, Governor Markell acknowledges the giving spirit of Delawareans, as we approach the Thanksgiving holiday.

“Each and every day, we have the opportunity to bring a little joy and cheer to friends, family and even to strangers,” said Governor Markell. “So, this holiday season, I wish you a happy Thanksgiving and thank you for your giving spirit—it keeps Delaware moving forward.”

Every week, the Governor’s office releases a new Weekly Message in video, audio, and transcript form. The message is available on:

YouTube: https://youtu.be/mlsn0Z3Jvow
Delaware.Gov: http://governor.delaware.gov/podcast_video.shtml
By email: contact our press team to subscribe to our press list
Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/governormarkell
Twitter:  http://www.twitter.com/governormarkell

Transcript of the Governor’s Weekly Message: Thankful For the Generous Spirit of Delawareans