House of David delivers car and holiday meals to lift local families

House of David, a downtown Milford nonprofit, is inviting anyone in need of food, fellowship or a place to spend the holiday to a free Thanksgiving dinner on Thursday.

Milford nonprofit, called House of David, opens its doors for a free holiday meal, and blesses a caregiver raising four grandchildren.

MILFORD, Del. — House of David, a downtown Milford nonprofit, is inviting anyone in need of food, fellowship or a place to spend the holiday to a free Thanksgiving dinner on Thursday, while also celebrating a recent car donation that changed life for a local grandmother raising four grandchildren.

The Thanksgiving dinner will be held Thursday, Nov. 27, from noon to 2 p.m. at House of David’s ministry center at 106 S. Walnut St. in Milford. The meal is open to the public, with organizers emphasizing that families, individuals and neighbors are all welcome.

“This dinner is about sharing more than food,” said Pastor David Shockley, who leads House of David. “It’s about making sure no one has to feel alone or forgotten on Thanksgiving.”

To support the event, the church has created an Amazon wish list where supporters can purchase items needed for the meal and for families in the community. Items bought through the link will be delivered to the ministry and distributed directly to guests and households in need.

“You can make a real difference with a simple online purchase,” Shockley said. “We’ll make sure every donated item is placed in the hands of someone who truly needs it.”

The Thanksgiving dinner is part of House of David’s broader mission to serve vulnerable individuals and families in Kent and Sussex counties with food, clothing and emergency shelter.

Founded in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, House of David operates as a nonprofit public charity and a subsidiary of the Jesus Love Evangelist Association. The ministry center, located between Jesus Love Temple and Shockley Hall on South Walnut Street, offers wraparound services designed to provide both immediate relief and longer-term stability.

Its core programs include:

• Food pantry: Pork-free food boxes distributed every Thursday from 9 to 11 a.m., with emergency food available by request.

• Clothing and baby depot: Clothing for all ages, including school uniforms and job-interview attire, plus baby essentials such as diapers, wipes and formula.

• Shelter assistance: Hotel and motel vouchers for temporary housing, with plans underway for permanent shelters for families, men, and women and children.

Since its founding, House of David has assisted more than 1,000 people with food, clothing and shelter. Leaders say their work is guided by trauma-informed care, education and economic justice, and the organization is currently working to expand its shelter capacity from three families to eight, with a fundraising goal of $45,000.

That mission became very personal this past weekend when House of David turned an unexpected donation into a critical lifeline for a local caregiver.

On Sunday, Nov. 23, the ministry presented a fully operational, low-mileage Mazda CX-3 to a grandmother who is raising four of her grandchildren, including two with special needs who require frequent visits to A.I. duPont Hospital for Children. She is also managing her own ongoing health issues, making reliable transportation essential for appointments, school and daily errands.

The vehicle had been gifted to House of David earlier in the season. After needed repairs and a full inspection, board members agreed it should be given to a household showing extraordinary resilience and need.

“Moments like this embody the heart of Thanksgiving — gratitude made visible through action,” Shockley said. “We are humbled to be part of this family’s story and grateful for a community that consistently steps up for one another.”

Volunteers and supporters gathered for the handoff, which leaders described as an example of how practical gifts can transform daily life for a family on the edge.

“When someone donates a resource — whether it’s a car, a coat or a can of food — we see it as a seed,” Shockley said. “Our job is to plant that seed where it will make the most difference, especially for families who feel forgotten or overwhelmed.”

In addition to the Thanksgiving dinner in Milford, House of David and its partners are extending their holiday outreach into Dover.

On Tuesday, Nov. 25, the ministry is helping host a Thanksgiving Outreach event at 28 W. Loockerman St. in Dover. Thanksgiving food boxes will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis, and organizers say they plan to “give until it’s all gone.” Families are encouraged to bring their relatives and friends, and community partners will be on hand to share information about resources available to support them through the holidays and beyond.

For more information about House of David, its Thanksgiving events, food pantry, clothing and baby depot, shelter expansion or ways to donate, visit houseofdavid.info or stop by the ministry center at 106 S. Walnut St., Milford, DE 19963.