Delaware County Council Organizes County-Wide Food Drive to Support Families Amid Ongoing Federal Shutdown and SNAP Funding Uncertainty
Delaware County, PA – As uncertainty grows around SNAP benefits during the ongoing federal government shutdown, Delaware County Council and the County's Department of Human Services are stepping up to help local families with a county-wide food drive on Saturday, November 8, 2025. The event will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Cardinal O’Hara High School in Springfield to collect food donations for local pantries.
Across Pennsylvania, more than 2 million residents rely on SNAP benefits each month to put food on the table—including over 77,000 here in Delaware County. If SNAP funding is delayed or disrupted, thousands of local households could face an immediate and severe food shortage. Even if federal benefits are ultimately continued or restored, food insecurity remains a daily challenge for many families, and local food pantries continue to face sustained demand—especially as the holidays approach.
“The uncertainty surrounding federal funding for SNAP has left tens of thousands of our neighbors wondering how they’ll put food on the table next month,” said Council Vice Chair Richard Womack. “No one should be forced to choose between paying their bills and feeding their family because of gridlock in Washington.”
Community Response to Food Insecurity
Delaware County Council and the Department of Human Services are urging residents to come together to support neighbors in need through the Delaware County Community Food Drive. The initiative will help stock pantry shelves ahead of the holidays and strengthen the County’s year-round network of food assistance providers.
Council Chair Dr. Monica Taylor emphasized that this effort reflects the best of Delaware County. “Delaware County always steps up when it counts,” said Dr. Taylor. “This food drive is about coming together as a community, neighbors helping neighbors—to make sure every family has the support and resources they need.”
Delaware County Community Food Drive Details
The Delaware County Community Food Drive will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. in the front parking lot of Cardinal O’Hara High School, 1701 South Sproul Road, Springfield.
Residents are encouraged to donate non-perishable, unopened food items with current expiration dates—particularly nutritious staples that can help families prepare balanced meals. Items of critical need include rice, dried beans (kidney, black, red, pinto, garbanzo, lentils, lima, navy, black-eyed peas, chickpeas), vegetable oil, mustard oil, olive oil; chickpea, wheat, Maseca, and corn flour; sugar, cereal, peanut butter, and jelly.
Common food drive staples such as canned vegetables and fruits, canned tuna or chicken, soups and stews, and pasta are also appreciated. Infant formula and baby food (please place in separate bags for easy sorting) will also be accepted.
The event will be held rain or shine and is designed as a drive-up, contactless collection. Volunteers from the Department of Emergency Services’ Citizen Corps will assist with traffic flow, directing residents and unloading donations directly from vehicles. All collected items will be distributed equally among participating local food pantries. Please note that this is a food collection event, not a food distribution event; all foods collected for later distribution by food pantries.
Residents seeking more information about the November 8 Delaware County Community Food Drive can contact the Department of Human Services’ Shannon Fitzpatrick Thomas by phone at (484) 486-4895 or by email at ThomasSF@co.delaware.pa.us.
Food insecurity is a year-round challenge for many households across Delaware County, and organizations like the Share Food Program (ShareFoodProgram.org) and the network of County and regional food pantries work tirelessly to ensure that no resident goes hungry. County Council encourages residents to support these efforts throughout the year—by donating, volunteering, or helping raise awareness of available food resources.
Those unable to attend the food drive can still make a difference by donating food locally or contributing directly to hunger-relief efforts through the Share Food Program. Visit ShareFoodProgram.org/Delco to make a one-time or recurring gift that supports Delaware County families in need.
The County will also launch a new “Community Resources” web page in the coming days — connecting residents to essential programs and the many organizations that make Delaware County stronger, together.