Milton Community Food Pantry will hold a “Taste of Milton” event in September
The Milton Food Pantry has planned a “Taste of Milton” restaurant competition to celebrate their 10th anniversary. The event will take place September 28 from 6 to 9 PM at the Milton Fire Hall.
“Local restaurants and caterers in our area will offer small plate tastes to each guest who, in turn, will vote for their favorite,” Diane Hake, D, said. “Dessert is provided by Bites of Delight while King’s Ice Cream will provide frozen treats that evening. There will be a silent auction and cash bar.”
Restaurants and caterers who have committed to the event include Irish Eyes, Dogfish Head, Pizza Machine, Po’Boys, The Nook, Zava Café, Greater Good Events, The Children’s Beach House, Teach a Person to Fish Society and Abbott’s Grill.
The food bank recently opened a new facility that is used as a distribution center, reducing the time clients had to wait for food. Prior to the new facility, clients often waited more than an hour and that has been reduced to just 15 minutes.
“Milton is a great place to live and work,” Senator Tom Carper, who attended the ribbon cutting said. “It’s also a community of neighbors. I was honored to spread the word about its newest initiative, the Milton Food Pantry, made possible thanks to generous donors and the American Rescue Plan.”
MCFP distributes fresh and non-perishable food items on the first and third Monday of each month. They turn no one away who comes to receive food and have been in business for almost 10 years. Opening in 2014, MCFP has distributed more than 752,000 meals to individuals in Kent and Sussex County. The first year they were open, they provided meals to an average of 81 individuals at each distribution and, today, are serving 316 per distribution.
“We have continued to implement a drive-through model of distribution that has proven efficient and safe for our clients and volunteers,” Hake said. “Despite food costs rising, we have been able to purchase and provide foods to those in need.”
MCFP partners with the “Teach a Person to Fish Society” which provides chef-prepared meals and fresh produce as long as it is available as well as Delaware “Unite Us” to accept referrals. In addition, MCFP works with other Delaware based foundations and organizations, including the Milford Lions Club and Panera Bread.
With inflation and the discontinued pandemic-era programs, the Milton Food Pantry has witnessed a 55 percent increase in families served this year. To meet the growing need, they have partnered with Perdue Foundation, Food Lion, Dogfish Head, Matt Haley Trust, Chichester Dupont Foundation, The Milton Community Foundation, USDA and the Delaware Food Bank.
Tickets to “Taste of Milton” are available by visiting the pantry website. If you cannot attend, the food pantry is asking for donations or sponsorships. Donations can be mailed to Milton Community Food Pantry, PO Box 84, Milton DE. 19968.
Learn more about MCFP by visiting www.miltonpantry.org where you can also donate and find information on sponsorships. For more information about the pantry, including specific location, contact them at 302-278-9557 or email [email protected].
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