REHOBOTH BEACH, Del. - DART First State and the Food Bank of Delaware are holding the 23rd annual "Stuff the Bus Thanksgiving Food Drive." Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, DART says the need for food is greater than its ever been before.
The first stop was held at the Safeway in Rehoboth Beach.
"The public has been very generous and it's nice to see that. It's very heart warming," said Patty Boyd Marketing specialist for DART.
With COVID-19 the food drive is running a little differently.
"We're using a smaller bus, it's less hands-on. We have plenty of PPE. Stuff for both the staff and the public. We're trying to reduce The amount of touchpoints that are involved in this, that's why we have boxes on the wheelchair lift so people can put their donations directly in there," said Boyd.
Delawareans dropped off non-perishables like pasta, canned foods, and apple sauce to name a few. The goal is to collect over 20 tons of these items for people in need.
DART and the Food Bank hold the event around Thanksgiving because many families are in need during the holiday season. This year the pandemic adds to that need.
"Our contacts at the food bank told us they have gone through more food than they ever have in the past, so the need is much greater than before," said Boyd.
The organizations hoping for a record number of donations.
"Last year we were able to get 13 tons ... Whatever we collect we know will be appreciated by the food bank and people of Delaware who are in need of food assistance," said Boyd.
Full list of drop-off locations:
Monday, November 9: NEW Safeway, 19283 Coastal Highway, Rehoboth, 9 AM - 4 PM
Tuesday, November 10: Walmart, 939 N. DuPont Blvd., Milford, 8 AM - 6 PM AND Safeway, 190 John Hunn Brown Rd., (Corner of S. Bay Rd. at S. Little Creek Rd.) Dover, 8 AM - 6 PM
Wednesday, November 11: ShopRite of First State Plaza, 1600 W. Newport Pike, Stanton, 9 AM - 4 PM
Thursday, November 12: Rodney Square, Market Street side, Wilmington, 7 AM - 5 PM
Friday, November 13: ShopRite of Brandywine Commons, 1300 Rocky Run Parkway, Wilmington, 9 AM - 4 PM
Saturday, November 14: ShopRite of Four Seasons, 700 Plaza Dr., Newark, 9 AM - 4 PM
