Share Food Warehouse Opening in Delaware County

News

Politics

Share Food Warehouse Opening in Delaware County

Posted to Politics April 24, 2023 by DVJ Editor

From a press release

Delaware County Council Chair Dr. Monica Taylor was honored to join members of the Share Food team, elected officials, and community partners to announce the construction of the Share Food Warehouse in Ridley Township on April 20.

The 9,000-square-foot warehouse, currently undergoing renovations, will serve as the county’s central hub for food commodities and distribution for the growing network of food pantries in the region.

“Share Food Program has been a valuable County partner for several years, and we are excited to be here today to pave the way to the next step in our shared goal of combating hunger and food insecurity across the county,” said Delaware County Council Chair Monica Taylor, Ph.D.

In 2021, Delaware County Council approved a five-year contract with Share Food Program to manage the charitable food system within the county. Share Food Program’s physical expansion into the region has enabled them to assist the county in providing vulnerable families with nutritious food, education, and other resources.

George Matysik, executive director of Share. Elizabeth Cowell, Falynn Milligan and Pastor Chris from Loaves and Fishes food Pantry, Frances Sheehan, president of the Foundation for Delaware County, Sen. Tim Kearney, Council Chair Monica Taylor, Ph.D.

As Delaware County’s lead agency for state and federal food distribution, Share Food Program has distributed over a million pounds of food to its residents in need in 2022, and they work to eradicate food insecurity through food distribution, education, and advocacy. Share Food has partnerships with nearly 800 schools and 400 community-based organizations and partner pantries, Share Food Program feeds hundreds of thousands of neighbors in need each month.

An investment to combat hunger and food insecurity was made by County leadership andcommunity partners. Council allocated $1.2M in funding to assist in the creation of the new warehouse, state Sen. Tim Kearney secured $500,000 in state funding, and the Foundation for Delaware County provided Share Food with a $100,000 grant to be used for the renovation of the new warehouse.

Recent reports show that the number of Americans without enough food has doubled in Pennsylvania since October 2021. That includes many families in Delaware County. During the COVID-19 pandemic, additional SNAP allotments and other crucial safety nets kept residents afloat, but many of those have ended recently.

Delaware County is now also experiencing record high rates of inflation, which makes it even harder for families who are working to make ends meet. Having enough to eat and having healthy foods to eat is fundamental, not just to survival but also to long-term health and to every aspect of human and social development. Nutrition is a critical part of health and development. Better nutrition is related to improved infant, child and maternal health, stronger immune systems, safer pregnancy and childbirth, lower risk of non-communicable diseases, such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease, improved mental health, and longevity.

As the need for hunger relief continues to rise, so does the need to support community action and hunger-relief organizations like Share Food Program. Share Food Program works with 17 partner pantries in the Delaware County region and shares the County’s commitment to ensuring that all residents have nutritious, healthy, and life-sustaining food.