In challenging times, Fred Rogers is often quoted saying something he learned from his mother: “Look for the helpers. There are always people who are helping.” It's time to tap into our inner Mr. Rogers and help fellow Delawareans when they need it most.
This article will be updated throughout the holiday season. We’ve rounded up local resources where you can find free groceries, community meals, and kid-friendly food programs to make things a little easier.
 Lisa | Canva |
🧊 Community Fridges
Most fridges are open 24/7.
- Black Mothers in Power: Concord Ave & Washington St, Wilmington
- Kingswood Community Center: 2300 Bowers St, Wilmington 🧺
- The Warehouse: 1121 Thatcher St, Wilmington 🧺
- Henrietta Johnson Medical Center: 601 New Castle Ave, Wilmington 🧺
- William "Hicks" Anderson Community Center: 501 N Madison St, Wilmington 🧺
- YMCA of Delaware – Central Branch: 1000 N Walnut St, Wilmington 🧺
🧺 Sites managed by Planting To Feed
💚 Volunteer info: volunteer.delaware.gov
Blessing Boxes and Little Free Pantries
These small, take-what-you-need spots are stocked by neighbors and open 24/7: Similar to a “Little Free Library,” but for food and household essentials: non-perishables, hygiene items, etc.
- Aldersgate United Methodist Church: 2313 Concord Pike, Wilmington
- Blessing Box: 403 North Van Buren St, Wilmington
- Christ the Cornerstone: 6 N. Clifton Ave, Wilmington
- Elsmere Presbyterian Church: 606 New Road, Wilmington
🌐 Find more boxes: mapping.littlefreepantry.org
Keep in Mind
- Food Banks and Pantries often get more food per dollar through bulk purchasing—monetary donations go a long way.
- Choose kid-friendly items like ramen, microwave mac & cheese cups, or cans with pull tabs.
Food Pantries
Black Mothers in Power
📍2215B N. Washington St, Wilmington, DE 19802
🗓️ By appointment or walk-ins are welcome!
ℹ️ Bring your Delaware ID, utility bill, or Delaware EBT as proof of residency.
🥫Donations Needed: Canned food, fresh meat, produce, bread, juice, snacks, and baby food. Donations can be dropped off at the BMIP Center.
📞 302-932-6163 | 📧 info@blackmothersinpower.org
🌐 blackmothersinpower.org/food-pantry
Claymont Community Market and Garden
- 📍 3301 Green St, Claymont, DE 19703
- 🗓️ M & T: 1–3 pm, W: 10:30–1:30, Th: 11–3
- 📞 302-793-2757 x147 | 📧 BarbaraBoese@ClaymontCenter.org
- 🌐 claymontcenter.org/food-closet
Food Bank of Delaware
- 📍 222 Lake Dr, Newark, DE 19702
- 📞 302-292-1305
- Donations Needed: Canned meats, peanut butter & jelly, hearty soups, rice, oatmeal, cereal, shelf-stable milk, fruits, veggies, snacks, mac & cheese, diapers, and formula. Drop-off hours: M–W: 9–3:30 • Th: 9–5:30 • F: 9–11:30 • 2nd Sat: 9–12:30
Humbly Assisting Humanity
- 🗓️ Monthly grocery giveaways statewide
- 🌐 humblyassistinghumanity.org
Hanover Church + Jefferson Street Center, Wilmington
- 🥦 Includes detergent, produce, meat, eggs, and dry goods
- 🗓️ Thursdays, 8–10 am
- 📞 302-981-4713
- 🌐 jeffersonstreetcenter.org
Lutheran Community Services – New Castle
- 📍 2809 Baynard Blvd (serves New Castle area)
- 🗓️ 3rd Thursday each month, 2–4 pm
- 📞 302-654-8886
- 🌐 lcsde.org
St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church
- 📍 1301 N Broom St, Wilmington, DE 19806
- 🗓️ M, T, Th, F: 9–12 • W: 5–7
- 📞 302-652-7623
- 🌐 saintstephenslutheranchurch.org/food-pantry
- 🪪 Bring photo ID and proof of DE residency
Lutheran Community Services – Unity Lutheran Church, Wilmington
- 📍 2101 Lancaster Ave, Wilmington
- 🗓️ T, W, Th: 9:30–10:45 • W: 5–7
- 🌐 lcsde.org
One Purpose Food Pantry
- 🥦 Mobile locations around Wilmington
- 📞 302-595-2369
- 🌐 onepurposefoodpantry.org
St. Patrick’s Center
- 📍 107 E 14th St, Wilmington, DE 19801
- 📞 302-652-5523
- 🍞 Groceries, meals, and senior support
- 🌐 stpatrickscenter.org
Y Mission Market – Wilmington
- 📍 Central YMCA, 1000 N Walnut St, Wilmington
- 🕰️ M & W: 10–1 & 2–4 • F: 10–1
- 📞 302-254-9622 ext. 0222
- 🌐 ymcade.org/mission-market
Mobile Pantries
The Food Bank of Delaware’s mobile pantry brings healthy foods to underserved communities statewide.
- 11/4 – Hare’s Corner, New Castle
- 11/6 – Brookside Community Center, Newark
- 11/8 – Pleasantville Elementary, New Castle
- 11/13 – Veterans Pantry, New Castle Ave
- 11/14 – Henrietta Johnson Medical Center, Wilmington
- 11/20 – 3200 Philadelphia Pike, Claymont
- 11/24 – Town of Elsmere, 11 Poplar Ave, Wilmington
Diapers
Harper’s Heart
- The Closet Of Love is a diaper bank and community closet for babies 0–24 months.
- 📍 10 E Tenth St (2nd floor), Wilmington, DE 19801
- 🗓️ W & Th: 10 am–2 pm
- 📞 302-669-9302
- 🌐 harpersheart.org/closet-of-love
Community Meals & Free Food Events
Messiah’s Market
- 🥕 Chef-curated, locally sourced meals with Free Food For All & Humbly Assisting Humanity
- 📍 1512 W 4th St, Wilmington, DE
- 🗓️ Saturdays, 12–2 pm (while supplies last)
- 🌐 linktr.ee/messiahsmarket
Sunday Breakfast Mission
- 📍 110 N Poplar St, Wilmington, DE 19801
- 🥕 Hot meals and food assistance
- 📞 302-652-8314
- 🌐 sundaybreakfastmission.org
💕 Ways to Help Others
If your family is in a position to give back, many of these groups welcome donations or volunteers. A few cans of soup, a bag of rice, or a few minutes helping stock shelves can make a real difference.
More Local Resources
- 211 Helpline: Call 211 or visit 211.org for up-to-date information on food, housing, and family resources in {townName}.
- Feeding America: Find additional food pantries at FeedingAmerica.org/find-your-local-foodbank.
Macaroni KID Wilmington- New Castle is here to support local families — whether it’s finding fun things to do or helping when times are tough. Because being part of Wilmington means showing up for each other — and we’re always here to help you find what your family needs.
For the latest information, visit Delaware’s SNAP Alert page: dhss.delaware.gov/dss/snapalert/
- Dial 211 or 1-800-560-3372
- Text your ZIP code to 898-211
Know of an organization we’re missing? Email leslieh@macaronikid.com
Updated 10/29
Cover image credits: Donation Box - Panida Wijitpanya - Getty Images Cardboard boxes: Brazzo
