Cathy Kanefsky, President and CEO of the Food Bank of Delaware, returned to discuss how they have fared after COVID as costs are up and neighbors are still struggling. She also noted that for many, the need could have always been there, and outreach during the pandemic could have brought them to seek support. A pioneering pilot initiative using DoorDash and Amazon, however, is making it easier for neighbors to get help, especially the homebound or families with small children. Working with sponsoring partners, routes are set to deliver food directly to them, no stigma, no need to wait in lines.
Ms Kanefsky also discussed their efforts to help residents become self-supporting with a career path started at the Food Bank of Delaware, they offer culinary classes that lead to the coveted Safe Serve Certificate and certified warehousing logistics training. They also include the soft skills to help graduates keep their new jobs.
We discussed ways to support the Food Bank of Delaware, monetary donations are always appreciated as they allow the agency to purchase fresh food, collection drives for staples are needed, too, peanut butter, tuna and canned soups are always in demand, and we can volunteer at events or at the warehouses. We can also frequent their Café at their Lake Drive facilities, stop for lunch or cater an office event, and buy produce or prepared food made by the students in their culinary classes.
For more information go to FBD.org.