For the rest of the summer, the “Feed the Hungry Ministry” invites us to bring groceries to Church to support St. Mark’s United Methodist Church Food Pantry and Bill Perkins, former director of Friendship House, who ministers to the nearby community by volunteering at the food pantry as well as by delivering food to 14-15 houses nearby helping with financial and physical needs.
The St. Mark’s United Methodist Church Food Pantry serves 30 -40 families in nearby trailer parks. Donations are mainly from their congregation and Bill’s Friendship House Account. Half of the recipients drive to the church and the other half have the food delivered by Bill.
The Pantry offers fresh produce, seasonal fruits and vegetables. St. Marks has a large vegetable garden and gives away all the produce through its food pantry. Right now they are giving away fresh lettuce, spinach, kale, Swiss chard, onions and beets. In another few weeks, they will also have tomatoes, peppers, squash, cucumbers and beans.
They always offer meat/vegetarian options, canned vegetables, dry goods (cereal, pasta) and dairy • cereal, dry milk • canned meat or tuna •tomato sauce, •peanut butter •jelly • pastries • bread.
Some non-food items that are always in demand are paper towels, toilet paper and baby diapers.
You can also make a financial contribution to St. Marks Food Pantry by donating to the Perkins Fund at Friendship House
The Food Pantry is located at:
1700 Limestone Road
Wilmington, DE 19804
(302) 994-0400
Pantry is open on Wednesdays 1-2pm, but will be closed for the last two weeks of July due repairs
Donations 11am – 2 pm
Other Local Food Programs
Below is a list of organizations and pantries you might want to support. Of course you can still donate food or money to your favorite local food program instead.
The Advocacy Committee will really appreciate knowing about donations outside what you bring to the church. Please click here to let the church office know. The information will be used for the Parochial Report, which is submitted to the diocese each year. Names will not be used in the report but the information will reflect how much our parish family cares for our community!
Pantries We Recommend
Emmanuel Dining Room Stationary Pantries
They have returned to serving meals to 500 people daily for lunch across the 3 locations and 100 breakfast recipients in their West Site.
They request #10 vegetable cans •Bottled Water •fresh vegetables •breakfast cereals. They are in desperate need of biodegradable plates (3 compartments) and sporks (combination spoon and fork) They will also be grateful for prepared sandwiches and snack foods (please wear masks and gloves while preparing).
They will also gladly accept financial contribution through the Ministry of Caring.
Locations
Emmanuel Dining Room East
226 North Walnut Street, Wilmington, DE19801
(302) 652-2577
Distributes meals 7d/wk
Food donations M-F 9-11:30
Emmanuel Dining Room West
121 North Jackson Street, Wilmington, DE 19805
(302) 652-3228
Distributes meals 7d/wk including breakfast
Food donations M-F 9-11:30
Emmanuel Dining Room South
500 Rogers Road, New Castle, DE 19720
(302) 622-4555
Distributes meals 5d/wk
Food donations M-F 9:30-11:30
Sunday Breakfast Mission
110 Poplar Street
Wilmington, DE 19801
302-656-8542
Their Dining Room provides meals to the community and to the homeless in their shelter. In October and November, they served 176,000 individual meals to families and the homeless. Their food pantry provides for families in need.
Community Meals: each evening at 5:45 and breakfast each morning
Food Pantry: distribute food boxes to families in need on the 2nd and 4th Saturday of each month, by appointment (877) 306-4663
Donations: Any time during the day, 7 days /week
At this time, they need: any type of non-perishable items (pasta, mac and cheese, canned veggies, canned soups, canned meals)
They also need clothing for the residents and their homeless population. They need thermal underwear, socks, and shoes with rubber soles. They are in great need of underwear.
You may also donate financially through www.sundaybreakfastmission.org
The pantries listed below will all accept:
•canned vegetables •canned fish •100% fruit and vegetable juice •canned chicken soup •ramen noodles •, oatmeal • baking mixes for pancakes, waffles and syrup. They will also take Laundry Detergent • toilet Paper • hand sanitizer • bath soap • dish Soap •disinfecting wipes •deodorant and diapers – size 4 and up. Check each pantry for additional needs.
Food Bank of DE
222 Lake Dr. Newark, DE 19702
(302) 292-1305
The Food Bank solicits, warehouses and distributes food through a network of 536 hunger-relief program partners: food pantries, soup kitchens, emergency shelters and other community food providers.
Donations: M-F 8:30 -4:00
Drop the food in the cardboard tote under the awning next to the barn
They need: Hot and cold cereals • peanut butter •canned fruits •canned meats •8oz shelf-stable milk •canned vegetables •spaghetti sauce
The Food Bank of Delaware also accepts financial contributions in many different ways. Click here to learn more.
Lutheran Community Services (LCS) Food Program
(302) 654-8886 x107
They serve 2,000 families a month twelve locations in New Castle County. We are listing their stationary pantries with hours of operation. They accept all items listed above. They request that at this time, we focus on veggies, juices, jelly, canned fish, oatmeal/hot cereals, pancake mix and syrup.
LCS welcomes financial contributions in lieu of food.
Stationary LCS Pantries
St. Stephens Lutheran Church
1301 N. Broom St.
Wilmington, DE 19806
(302) 652-7623
Pantry hours: Mon, Tues, Thurs & Friday 9:00am -12:00pm
Produce distribution Wed 5:00 – 7:00pm
LCS Choice Pantry
2809 Baynard Blvd.
Wilmington, DE 19806
(302) 654-8886
Pantry hours: M, W, F from 1-3
Donations: Best drop off time Tuesday and Thursday between 9 AM and 3 PM
Unity Lutheran Church
2101 Lancaster Ave.
Wilmington, DE 19805
(302) 658-5288
Pantry hours: Tues, Wed, Thurs 9:30am – 11:00am
Other Food Pantries
Claymont Community Center Food Closet
3301 Green Street
Claymont, DE 19703
Phone: (302) 792-2757
Hours of Food Distribution:
The Food Closet is open from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. every Wednesday AND the 3rd and 4th Thursday of the month from 9 am to 12:30 p.m. Evening hours are available the 2nd Thursday of the month from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Donations: Monday-Thursday, 8:00a.m. – 8:00p.m or Fridays from 8:00a.m. – 5:00p.m
The Food Closet can use the following non-perishable items:
Peanut butter and jelly, canned vegetables, pancake mix and syrup, pasta and spaghetti sauce, rice, cereal, canned meats & fish, soups / stews / chili
Hanover Presbyterian Church
1801 North Jefferson Street
Wilmington, DE 19802
(302) 658-5114
They serve 40-50 families
Pantry is open Thursdays 8-10am
Donations: M-T 8-12am
At this time, they need: peanut butter, jelly, spaghetti sauce, boxed pasta, canned beans, canned veggies, cold cereal,