Delaware County Food Drive Changes Locations

MARPLE TOWNSHIP, PA — Delaware County Council and Delaware County Department of Human Services are hosting a county-wide food drive this weekend.

Now, due to a scheduling conflict, the event has changed locations.

The drive was to be held at Cardinal O’Hara High School in Springfield.

The Cardinal O’Hara High School football team will be playing in a playoff game against Monsignor Bonner/Archbishop Prendergast Catholic High School at the high school, forcing the drive to relocate.

Officials said the event will now be held at the former Don Guanella School, 1797 Sproul Road in the Springfield section of Marple Township.

Donations can be dropped off from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday.

Items sought include:

• rice
• dried beans (kidney, black, red, pinto, garbanzo, lentils, lima, navy, black-eyed peas, chickpeas)
• vegetable oil
• mustard oil
• olive oil
• chickpea, wheat, Maseca, and corn flour
• sugar
• cereal
• peanut butter
• jelly
• canned vegetables and fruits
• canned tuna or chicken
• soups
• stews
• pasta are also appreciated
• infant formula
• baby food

All collected items will be distributed equally among participating local food pantries, which include Multicultural Community & Family Services and Murphy’s Giving Market in Upper Darby; Mt. Zion CME Church in Sharon Hill; the Bernardine Center and Chester Eastside in Chester; Lifewerks in Wallingford; the Media Food Bank in Media; and Loaves & Fishes in Prospect Park.

County officials are urging residents to come together to support neighbors in need through the Delaware County Community Food Drive.

The event will be held rain or shine and is designed as a drive-up, contactless collection.

Volunteers from the Department of Emergency Services’ Citizen Corps will assist with traffic flow, directing residents and unloading donations directly from vehicles.

The initiative will help stock pantry shelves ahead of the holidays and strengthen the county’s year-round network of food assistance providers.

According to the county, more than two million Pennsylvania residents rely on Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits each month to put food on the table.

Of that roughly two million, 77,000 live in Delaware County, officials said.

"The uncertainty surrounding federal funding for SNAP has left tens of thousands of our neighbors wondering how they’ll put food on the table next month," Delaware County Council Vice Chair Richard Womack said. "No one should be forced to choose between paying their bills and feeding their family because of gridlock in Washington."

"Delaware County always steps up when it counts," Delaware County Council Chair Dr. Monica Taylor said. "This food drive is about coming together as a community, neighbors helping neighbors—to make sure every family has the support and resources they need."

More information about the Delaware County Community Food Drive is available online here. Contact the Department of Human Services’ Shannon Fitzpatrick Thomas at 484-486-4895 or ThomasSF@co.delaware.pa.us with questions.

Food insecurity is a year-round challenge for many households across Delaware County, and organizations like the Share Food Program and the network of county and regional food pantries work tirelessly to ensure that no resident goes hungry.

The Delaware County Council encourages residents to support these efforts throughout the year—by donating, volunteering, or helping raise awareness of available food resources.

Those unable to attend the food drive can still make a difference by donating food locally or contributing directly to hunger-relief efforts by making a one-time or recurring financial gift that supports Delaware County families in need online here.

The county will also launch a new “Community Resources” webpage soon to connect residents to essential programs and the many organizations that make Delaware County stronger, together.