Stepping up to help those in need

As we move into the holiday season, it’s an appropriate time to reflect on one of the Cape Region’s best qualities – philanthropy.

Last week, the Food Bank of Delaware worked with Perdue Farms and the Harry K Foundation to send boxes of food to families in danger of missing out on Thanksgiving. At the event, Food Bank of Delaware President and CEO Cathy Kanefsky said her group is helping more people than ever.

A Housing Alliance Delaware report paints a similar picture. Released earlier this month, the report indicates 34% of Delaware’s homeless population is in Sussex County. It notes that 2022 has been a difficult year, as homeowners and renters face rising prices and a lack of housing supply, resulting in more evictions and more homelessness.

Groups continue to work together to offer help. Georgetown officials and nonprofits Springboard Collaborative and First State Community Action Agency will soon open 40 cabin-like, 64-square-foot units in the first Pallet shelter village in Delaware. The village has a waiting list of 60 people.

The Food Bank is also working with Food Lion and Bayhealth to launch 302 Food Rescue, a collaborative effort to deliver fresh food from participating grocery stores, restaurants and caterers to those in need.

Mountaire Farms hosted its annual Thanksgiving for Thousands event Nov. 21. Through partnerships with churches, food banks and other groups, the company boxes and ships complete Thanksgiving feasts just in time for the holiday. They’ll do it again for Christmas.

These efforts complement the year-round work of groups like Jusst Sooup, Cape Henlopen Food Basket, Milton Community Food Pantry and many individual residents.

But this is just the beginning. As temperatures drop and we inch ever closer to Christmas, the needs of some residents only grow. Toy drives ensure children have presents to open, homeless shelters guarantee a warm place to sleep on the coldest nights, and another round of food drives will provide holiday meals to those who need them.

The work of these groups and individuals lifts up those who need a boost, offers hope and surely yields results for which we all can be thankful.