With the rising cost of living, high grocery prices place additional strains on the wallets of Americans. The Food Bank of Delaware has seen an increase in the number of visitors to their various food bank and pantry locations across the state – many of which have not needed to use their servic es before. According to The Food Bank of Delaware’s CEO Cathy Kanefsky, visits to their healthy pantry locations in Newark and Milford were up 23% between the summer of 2025 and 2026. The Food Bank has implemented a new virtual way of making food donations. By visiting The Food Bank of Delaware website, guests can fill a shopping cart based on a list of items most needed. Guests can also donate pre-purchased grocery store items to their various locations. In addition to providing food to communities across Delaware, The Food Bank of Delaware offers a culinary program – The Culinary School – which provides students a 14-week training program to prepare students for careers in food service. Ruby Carroll, a student in the program, receives extra groceries from the food pantries. “I was blessed with the opportunity to be able to fill in the gap in my household so I can sustain every month” said Carroll. The Food Bank of Delaware and other local food banks and pantries are seeking additional donations to help meet increased demand brought on by the costly holiday season. ...read more read less