UPDATE: Some of our hungry neighbors are not comping to receive food because they are concerned about their safety because of the potential of ICE raids. We are using alternate methods of distribution for these individuals and families and posting signs requiring warrants for entry with intent to arrent occupants.
Thank you to all the dedicated volunteers who spent over 14,300 hours of their time to serve those in our community who are food insecure. Throughout 2024 these dedicated volunteers rescued more than 315,000 pounds of produce and meats from 20 area grocery stores, restaurants, and farmers markets (15% increase from 2023), collected more than 74,000 pounds of non-perishable staples and supplies (double the 2023 number!), prepared meals in our kitchen to feed almost 4,000 people, and provided food to more than 14,600 people via our Good Sam Mobile Pantry (a 27% increase from 2023).
Our food rescue goods not only serve the 14,600 people who have come to Epworth for nourishment, but the following ministries in the area who help feed our neighbors: area homeless shelters, the Community Resource Center (CRC), Beebe Cares, Milton Food Bank, La Esperanza, Pearl Domestic Violence Houses, and other support organizations in Sussex County.
We also celebrate our Thanksgiving ministry to help provide a feast for over 700 households!
If you would like to join this ministry, contact David Streit. Here’s a couple of recent messages we received this week via our website:
Hi there. I am interested in a regular volunteer opportunity at your food pantry and I would love to do it with my 12 year old twin boys. If you could provide me with information on your volunteer opportunities I would be very grateful. Thanks.
Hi! Can you use ANOTHER pair of hands in your food ministry? I recently moved to Rehoboth, and I live nearby. If you could use another helper, please Call, Text, or email! Thanks!
Thanks again to Bob Joynson for helping to lead this ministry for the past four years (and who collected and summarized these statistics). Mike Tyler, a dedicated food ministry volunteer to whom Bob has recently passed the baton, has already hit the ground running preparing a capital replacement plan for the food ministry.
