Suspended food operation motivates Delaware organization to step up

The Food Bank of Delaware will step up efforts to feed families this holiday season after the Basket Brigade of Delaware, one of the area’s largest Thanksgiving meal providers suspended its operation.

As the holiday season aproaches, Food Bank officials are looking for more donations from community members who are always very giving to the organization this time of year.  Extra donations will help the Food Bank of Delaware work with those organiztions that rely on food baskets from the Basket Brigagde.  According to officials, the food bank’s goal is to make 2,500 free holiday meal boxes. This will be on a first come, first-serve basis.

“It is our hope that after regrouping later next year, Basket Brigade will come back a stronger organization to help serve the needs of the thousands of Delawareans struggling to put meals on the table,” said Food Bank of Delaware President and CEO Patricia Beebe. “However, in the meantime, the Food Bank of Delaware stands ready to ensure that families have a hot meal on the table this Thanksgiving.”

Some of the food supplies needed to move forward with the 2,500 boxes include frozen turkeys, roasting pans, canned goods (gravy, vegetables, cranberry sauce), instant mashed potatoes, biscuit mix, macroni and cheese, etc. 

Organizations that worked with the Basket Brigade should call Food Bank of Delaware at (302) 292-1305 ext. 206,  by November 9 in order to distribute food to those in need.  Families can may call the Delaware Helpline (1-800-464-4357).

On the Basket Brigade’s website a posting explained the sudden shut down. “Over the past several years, the Basket Brigade has experienced ever increasing financial obligations that need to be addressed through an organized fund raising effort,” the message was written by the Board of Directors. 

However, the website also said that the Board will regroup in the 1st quarter of 2013 to evaluate future fund raising efforts, and the restructuring of its volunteer organization.