County-Wide Food Drive Planned For Nov 8 As SNAP Suspension Nears

UPDATE: The location of the food drive has changed. Learn more details here.

DELAWARE COUNTY, PA — With the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program expected to be suspended this weekend due to the federal government's shutdown, Delaware County is organizing a massive food drive.

The Delaware County Council and the county's Department of Human Services are hosting a county-wide food drive on Nov. 8.

Donations can be dropped off from 9 a.m. to noon in the front parking lot of Cardinal O’Hara High School in Springfield to support residents and pantries in need.

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."

Residents seeking more information about the November 8 Delaware County Community Food Drive can go online here for event details, donation guidelines, and an updated list of participating pantries, or contact the Department of Human Services’ Shannon Fitzpatrick Thomas at 484-486-4895 or ThomasSF@co.delaware.pa.us.

Food insecurity is a year-round challenge for many households across Delaware County, and organizations like the Share Food Program (ShareFoodProgram.org) 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.

Cardinal O’Hara High School is located at 1701 South Sproul Road in Springfield.