Food banks across the country are constantly working to innovate and improve their services, and without them, the Feeding America network could never provide for those in need. Each month, we’ll be turning the spotlight onto an individual food bank that is working hard to become even more efficient and effective.
This month, we are featuring Food Bank of Delaware.
Across the country, schools are in search of new ways to reach the 1 in 5 children struggling with hunger. Feeding America’s Kids Cafe and BackPack Programs are already serving hundreds of thousands of children, but our member food banks hope to one day feed every child in need. The Feeding America School Pantry Program is becoming a successful new avenue to reach more children and families who need reliable sources of food.
The Food Bank of Delaware recently joined the nearly 40 food banks that are currently running local School Pantry Programs. Following the 2011 Thanksgiving holiday, this Feeding America member opened the doors of its first food pantry in Wilmington’s East Side Charter School. They are enthusiastic about what these programs will do for food-insecure families.
“Just like we, as adults, are distracted and less productive when we are hungry, so are our children,” stated Patricia Beebe, the food bank’s Chief Executive Officer. “Our students need nutrition and filling meals to prepare them to learn.”
The new School Pantry, funded by a partnership with Barclaycard US, will serve 25 to 30 at-risk families to be discreetly identified by school officials. The food bank hopes to convince more partners to help them open five more school pantries before the end of the school year.
Visit fbd.org to learn more about the Food Bank of Delaware.