“It’s a little bonus:” Food pantry hosts distribution event ahead of Thanksgiving holiday

MILTON, Del. –  We’ve all heard the saying that it’s better to give than receive. That was at the heart of the Milton Community Food Pantry’s (MCFP) food distribution Monday, making sure local families have something on the table for the Thanksgiving holiday.

“We’ve just exceeded our expectations in the number of families that need food,” MCFP Board Director Donna Murawski said.

Nearly 200 families rolled in and received a turkey with all the fixings along with their regular distribution supply. “Holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas are so special and family oriented. It’s just so difficult to see people going hungry especially at this time,” Murawski said.

Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester was also present and put some elbow grease into it. She worked beside dozens of volunteers to help spread the holiday cheer. “Many people that are in this line are veterans, they may be a person with a disability, and they’re families in need. I literally was packing up bags with food in it for a family of one all the way to size eight,” Rep. Blunt-Rochester said.

Representative Blunt-Rochester was able to see first-hand the nonprofit’s need for donations as their expenses have more than doubled. Yet, she told us there’s already plans in motion. “One of the jobs that I’m doing is working in a bipartisan way with members to strengthen our supply chain and lower the costs of everyday goods,” she said.

With more hands-on deck, Murawski said they’ll be able to do more. She added that clients are walking away with more than just a meal. “It’s a little bonus and I just hope that it takes away of the stress from people,” Murawski said.

The Milton Community Food Pantry expects the number of families they’re seeing to grow as the holiday season continues. The nonprofit is currently accepting knowledge.

The nonprofit is also in need of more volunteers as they look to increase the number of distributions they have.

The nonprofit recently opened their new distribution center and has just over half of the facility costs covered thanks to grants and donations. We’re told they will have to take out a loan for the rest.

If you’d like to donate to their Capital Campaign Fund, you can check out their website here