It’s definitely a win when a Food Bank of Delaware Culinary School alumni lands a full-time job in the food service industry. It’s another win when he loves what he’s doing, and the scenario is even better when his employer recognizes his skills and his potential. Sounds like a fairy tale, but it’s not! In December 2022, Jonathan Flores graduated from our 14-week culinary training at the former Milford facility; he completed his internship at Harrington Raceway & Casino. That’s where he landed a full-time job as a line cook at the casino’s Onion Jack’s restaurant.  For those unfamilia ..read more

It’s graduation season! Today was a day of celebration at the Food Bank of Delaware in Newark. Graduation ceremonies for students who have completed our 12-week featured all the pomp and circumstances associated with a significant occasion: certificates, speeches, applause, a few tears of joy – and lunch. The graduates are: Shaun Cottrill, Lucas Divis, Chianta Erwin, Miles Jackson, Keith Kilmon, Emily Loughery, Benjamin Moulder, Tenneil Parkes, Dominque Powell and Andrew Springer. The Kitchen School – offered at both the Food Bank’s Newark and Milford sites – is a free 12-week food servic ..read more

Smiles, laughter, and a few tears highlighted graduation ceremonies for The Kitchen School – the first in our new facility – as nine graduates experienced feelings of success and optimism as they look forward to new beginnings. Congratulations to our graduates: Dejza Harris, Darius Fields, Shane Lammey, Da’Shawn Lawson, Ja’Shawn Mason, Nassem Rhim, James Spillane, Jack Stomieroski, and Suntama Tupachache. Our President and CEO Cathy Kanefsky recognized the significance of the event. “This is extra special. It makes my heart smile all over. These folks are rock stars,” she told the audience. Gu ..read more

Like many of our neighbors who reach out to the Stand By Me program, Julie was faced with the impact a low credit rating had on her life. So, she reached out and connected with Stand By Me coach Marilyn Ramirez. Stand By Me is a free, private, one-on-one financial program that offers coaching through phone or video counseling through a partnership between United Way of Delaware, the State of Delaware and nonprofit organizations across the state. Julie was aware that she contributed to her financial problems. “I had too much going out, mismanaging, and I wasn’t focused on savings. I had the mon ..read more

Rain – sometimes pouring rain – did not deter the families who came out to a recent mobile pantry at the North Georgetown Elementary School. On this dismal Friday morning, about 162 families received fresh fruit, quality protein, milk, and kitchen staples in the drive-through pantry in which school staff and a few volunteers loaded vehicles. Principal Sarah Green explained that school leaders reached out to the Food Bank of Delaware to expand support for students. Out of the 750 students here in grades kindergarten through 5, about 75 percent receive multilingual services. “As students and the ..read more

It’s pretty obvious that Dawson is enjoying L.O.G.I.C. training at the Food Bank of Delaware’s new Milford facility. He always greets everyone with a smile and a friendly wave – everyday! Dawson’s part of the first class in Milford, and he’ll graduate in May. He’s been sending out resumes’ and planning for a bright, productive future. L.O.G.I.C. (Logistics, Operations, General Warehousing and Inventory Control) is a 14-week training program, certified as a trade school by the Delaware Department of Education, that prepares students for careers in the warehousing/logistics industry. Under the g ..read more

Kyrie, a Rehoboth Beach resident, says she always had an interest in cooking, but never thought about a career in the food service industry until her mother saw a social media post about the Food Bank of Delaware’s Culinary School. Kyrie says she did a bit of research on our web site then thought “Let me go ahead and apply.” That decision transformed her life from a stay-at-home mom to an award-winning cook, and now she is about a month away from graduating. Although the 14-week program has not been without challenges, Kyrie adamantly states “This has been life changing.” As the mom of two chi ..read more

By Gabriella Fernandez, Communications Intern Ba’lisha White also known as Chef B, is a part of our 14- week culinary training program, certified by the Delaware Department Education, that prepares students for careers in the food service industry. She is just a few weeks from graduation and is preparing to bring her new found skills to the kitchen.  B’s journey into the culinary world began unexpectedly as she came across The Culinary School while scrolling through her Facebook feed one day. She was intrigued by the program and wanted to learn more. She was drawn by the opportunity to pu ..read more

By Gabriella Fernandez, Communications Intern Janay had spent years in different jobs, searching for fulfillment but never found her passion. It wasn’t until a conversation with a friend that she discovered The Culinary School at the Food Bank. The Culinary School is a 14- week training program, certified by the Delaware Department Education, that prepares students for careers in the food service industry. Janay has always enjoyed cooking, it was an outlet for her. She decided she wanted a change in her career, so she enrolled in the culinary program. As a single mother, the offer of free tuit ..read more

The Food Bank of Delaware received the Delaware State Education Association’s (DSEA) 2024 Community Partner Award during the organization’s annual Representative Assembly on Saturday, March 23 at the Chase Center on the Riverfront in Wilmington. The Food Bank was nominated by Gloria Ho, a school social worker at Milton Elementary School in the Cape Henlopen School District. Ho praised the Food Bank’s commitment to eliminating childhood hunger, specifically addressing the Backpack Program. “The Food Bank of Delaware has been an exceptional advocate for public education, consistently demonstrati ..read more