Wine, food and music festival names 2024 beneficiaries

The Southern Delaware Wine, Food & Music Festival recently announced this year’s beneficiaries will be Sussex County Habitat for Humanity and the Harry K Foundation.

The 2024 event is set for 12 to 3 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 5, at Schellville in Rehoboth Beach. 

Now in its ninth year, the annual event celebrates the important work of Delaware nonprofits, raising and donating significant funds to help them fulfill their missions.

“Since 2015, more than $250,000 has been donated from this event to support local charitable organizations doing inspirational work to make our community strong,” said Stacy LaMotta, event creator.

The Healthy Homes Initiative at Sussex County Habitat for Humanity has served over 2,500 individuals in Sussex County through home construction and preservation, home repairs, financial literacy and energy efficient upgrades.

"We are very excited to be a beneficiary of the 9th Annual Southern Delaware Wine, Food & Music Festival," said Kevin Gilmore, Sussex County Habitat for Humanity CEO. "While home construction is an integral part of our mission, we know sometimes the most affordable home for a family is the one they already own. Unfortunately, the cost of maintaining a safe and healthy home has risen dramatically in recent years to the point of crisis for households with low or fixed incomes. The funds donated to Sussex County Habitat for Humanity from the festival will help our Healthy Homes Initiative make impactful home repairs for our Sussex County neighbors."

The Harry K Foundation delivers several programs dedicated to eliminating hunger and food insecurity among children in Delaware.

“With the support of the Southern Delaware Wine, Food & Music Festival, the Harry K Foundation will be able to strengthen our mission to make sure no child in Sussex County goes to bed hungry at night,” said Harry Keswani, president and founder of the Harry K Foundation. “We are grateful for this support to increase our outreach, because childhood hunger in Delaware is real: One in five children faces food insecurity. Since 2013, we have established and funded 52 pantries in schools and sponsored the School Backpack program to provide over 630 children with food for weekends, holidays and summer break. We also implemented a Mobile Pantry Program in partnership with the Food Bank of Delaware for children living in need. As a beneficiary of this event, we will raise greater awareness.”

For more information on becoming a restaurant partner or to purchase tickets, go to sodelfest.com.