Chesco Food Bank Pioneer Elmer Duckinfield Passes Away

WEST CHESTER, PA — Elmer Duckinfield, one of the founding members of the food bank movement in Chester County and an active and engaged citizen who inspired everyone he touched, passed away on Saturday at the age of

Friends, family, community leaders, and politicians alike mourned the passing of a man who "inspired everyone to become better citizens."

"The sun seems a bit less bright today at the Chester County Food Bank as we mourn the passing of one of our early and distinguished pioneers. Elmer Duckinfield lost his brave and quiet battle with cancer on May 6, 2017, surrounded by his beloved family," the food bank said in a statement on their website Monday. "Our hearts are broken; however, our spirits remain touched (and, dare we say, our lives changed) by a man who was the definition of compassion, enthusiasm and humility with his warm smile, soft-spoken voice and contagious way of inspiring us to become better citizens."

Duckinfield worked with State Sen. Andy Dinniman (D-Chester) to create community food programs like Safe Harbor of Greater West Chester and the Chester County Gleaning Program, which eventually became the food bank.

"Heartbroken by news of the passing of my friend, Elmer Duckinfield," Dinniman said Monday. "A lot of people give me credit for initiatives like (Safe Harbor), but the truth is it was Elmer and people like him who made it possible. Elmer was there from the beginning. Honestly, I don't know how we could have done it without him. His friendship and support made even the most challenging tasks and trying times worthwhile. He was always ready to give more and do what was necessary for the benefit of others. His upbeat attitude and smile were contagious. He loved Chester County and its people. He will be missed."

Duckinfield served in the Army and the Navy. He helped start the gleaning program in 1996 to help feed the hungry in the region. With his mantra as "no one should go hungry," the program achieved tremendous success, growing to thousands of volunteer and providing immeasurable value to those less fortunate. In 2013, he was awarded the 'Thanks for Caring' Award from the Chester County Community Foundation.

Information on services is forthcoming.

To learn more about Duckinfield's work and the Chester County Food Bank, see here.

Image via Chester County Food Bank