Media Center
| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 11/7/2008 |
Contact: Alison Keeling 302-573-3731 akeeling@uwde.org |
STATEWIDE INITIATIVE TO RAISE 300,000 POUNDS OF FOOD AND $250,000 TO ASSIST DELAWAREANS THIS WINTER
Delaware Does More is a collaboration among local nonprofits, businesses, schools, faith-based organizations and others to help Delawareans with three basic needs — food, shelter and utilities. To achieve its goals, Delaware Does More is relying on members of the community to run food drives and fundraisers.
Delaware Does More started November 7, and will end on February 28, 2009. It will be jointly administered at no cost by United Way of Delaware and the Food Bank of Delaware. Food and funds that are collected will be incremental to the donations that both organizations are currently seeking.
“This is a community effort in response to an immediate and dire need,” said Michelle A. Taylor, President and Chief Executive Officer of United Way of Delaware. “Our neighbors are struggling right now. Delawareans need to come together and help each other get through the winter.”
Patricia D. Beebe, President and CEO of the Food Bank of Delaware, said that the success of Delaware Does More is essential to the well-being of thousands of Delawareans.
“The basic concept is that everyone deserves food to eat, and a warm, safe place to stay. The goals of Delaware Does More are ambitious, but attainable. Schools, workplaces, families, faith groups, and individuals need to work together to ensure that our neighbors make it through these difficult times.”
The growing need stems from a variety of factors, including increasing local layoffs as well as nationwide housing and financial crises. Thousands of formerly middle-class Delawareans are joining the ranks of the chronically unemployed or the working poor. Health and human service agencies are unable to meet the increased level of need, and are being forced to turn people away in record numbers.
Supporters of Delaware Does More include Senator Tom Carper, Governor Ruth Ann Minner, and Governor-elect Jack Markell.
“We have an obligation to provide hope for the hopeless, and that’s what we’re going to do, through Delaware Does More,” Carper said.
Presenting the first corporate contributions were Tyrone Jones of AstraZeneca and Gary R. Stockbridge of Delmarva Power. More than 400 other companies and organizations have already committed to participating in the Delaware Does More campaign.
Please get involved in this critical effort to help our neighbors get through the winter!
To donate funds, go to www.uwde.org, click “Donate” and select “Delaware Does More.” To donate food or run a food drive, contact Food Bank of Delaware at (302) 292-1305 ext. 211.