Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Wilmington Launches Diocesan-wide Food Distribution Plan to Better Serve Our Communities

WILMINGTON, DE — March 5, 2026 — The Diocese of Wilmington, in partnership with
Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Wilmington, has launched a new diocesan-wide
Food Pantry Program. This initiative is designed to keep parish and school-based food
pantries consistently stocked, reduce food waste across the region, and empower
parishes and Catholic schools to more actively participate in addressing food insecurity
throughout the entire state of Delaware and Maryland’s Eastern Shore (including the
nine counties of Caroline, Cecil, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne’s, Somerset, Talbot,
Wicomico, and Worcester).
By coordinating through Catholic Charities’ Child and Adult Food Program, the effort
provides parishes and schools with essential structure, guidance, resources, and
support. This includes streamlined processes for collecting donations and distributing
food from the central food pantry in Wilmington, Delaware, to areas of greatest
need—ensuring efficient, collaborative support that strengthens local outreach while
advancing the Church’s mission of charity.
“Our faith teaches us that care for the poor and vulnerable is not optional, it is
essential,” said the Most Reverend William E. Koenig, D.D., Bishop of the Diocese of
Wilmington. “Through Catholic Charities and this new Food Pantry Program, we are
inviting every parish and school to participate more fully in the Church’s mission of
charity. In serving those who hunger, we encounter Christ himself and give witness to
the love at the heart of Catholic social teaching.”
“This program reflects who we are as a Church,” said Deacon Patrick Stokely, Executive
Director of Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Wilmington. “Catholic social teaching
calls us to recognize the dignity of every human person and to stand in solidarity with
those who struggle to meet their most basic needs. Through this Food Pantry Program,
we are strengthening our ability to walk with families experiencing food insecurity and to
respond in a coordinated, sustainable way.”
The program enables parishes and schools to effectively serve local families while
creating meaningful opportunities for Catholic school students to engage in service-
learning, food drives, and hands-on volunteer experiences rooted in faith formation.
Dr. Louis DeAngelo, Superintendent of Schools, said of the program, “By partnering with
our parishes and Catholic Charities, our schools are helping form young people who
understand that faith calls us to solidarity, compassion, and active service to those in
need. This initiative strengthens not only our outreach efforts, but the moral and spiritual
formation at the heart of Catholic education.”

Joanne Varnes, Program Manager of the Child and Adult Food Program, emphasized
the importance of parish and school involvement. “Parishes and schools are uniquely
positioned to see the needs within their neighborhoods. By equipping them with
resources and clear guidance, we are empowering local communities to respond
directly and compassionately. This is more than distributing food; it is about building
relationships, restoring hope, and living out the Gospel call to serve.”
Food insecurity continues to impact working families, seniors, and children across the
region. The new diocesan-wide approach ensures support is accessible, organized, and
consistent—while remaining responsive to local circumstances—through stronger
collaboration between the central food pantry and parish/school ministries.
Parishes and schools will participate in the Food Pantry Program through one of the six
regional deaneries in the Diocese of Wilmington. More information is available at
www.ccwilm.org.
About Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Wilmington For more than 190 years,
Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Wilmington has provided compassionate,
professional services to individuals and families in need, guided by the mission of Jesus
Christ and the principles of Catholic social teaching. For more information visit
www.ccwilm.org.