Perdue makes $50,000 donation to Milton food pantry
Perdue Farms awarded a $50,000 grant to Milton Community Food Pantry as part of the pantry’s capital campaign to build a new distribution center with a walk-in freezer and refrigerator.
The center will consolidate the pantry’s sorting, storing and food packing operations. Food pantry Vice President Lawrence Bivens said the new facility “will enhance our ability to purchase and store more fresh, frozen, canned and dry products for our clients to increase their meal choices.”
The pantry has experienced higher demand in the first quarter of 2023, serving 553 families representing 2,109 people, he said, compared with 353 families with 1,376 people for the same time last year, an increase of more than 50%.
Kim Nechay, executive director of the Perdue Foundation, said, “We’re happy to help Milton Community Food Pantry continue its good work. It is caring for families in Kent and Sussex counties, especially now in these difficult economic times. The pantry has earned our support.”
The distribution center is part of the pantry’s new facility on Union Street Extended and is expected to cost $375,000 and take four months to construct. Until construction is complete, the pantry is still planning to conduct distributions twice a month at Water’s Edge Church on Route 16.
