As the 2016 Thanksgiving holiday approaches, social service agencies are focusing on the new face of hunger and the fact that working families and children can struggle with “food insecurity” as much as people living in poverty.

In recognition of the need to help feed hungry families, Delaware County Council kicked off the annual Thanksgiving Food Drive on Oct. 1, marking its 14th anniversary. This year the collection goal is 25,000 pounds of food.

County Council, the County Department of Human Services, and the County Department of Intercommunity Health (ICH) will once again join forces with Magellan Behavioral Health of PA to collect non-perishable food items to distribute to families in need.

County Council and the Human Services Department staff have partnered with Magellan for 14 years to coordinate the food drive. Each year, more departments and businesses join the County drive.

In 2015, the Department of Domestic Relations once again achieved the highest department collection to date, with the Office of Adult Probation being the most improved department. TD Bank, the Franklin Mint Federal Credit Union, and Susquehanna Bank made cash donations, as did the Upper Darby/Haverford Thanksgiving rivalry football game.

In 2015, the County Thanksgiving Food Drive hit an all-time record of 33,490 pounds of food.

This year, the Food Drive committee is looking to Delaware County high schools to collect donations at their fall sports games.

Providers involved with local food assistance programs continue to report an increasing demand for donations during these challenging economic times. Members of the public and business community are invited to join county employees in placing donations in collection boxes, which are placed in the Government Center lobby, outside the Sheriff’s office in the Courthouse, and the Fronefield Building, which houses court services.

Food collection boxes are also placed at Fair Acres in the main lobby (Building 8) and the Detention and 911 centers, all located in Middletown, as well as the County Office of Services for the Aging (COSA) and Children and Youth Services (CYS) offices, both in Eddystone, and the Human Services offices in Upper Darby. People can also make donations at the county libraries.

In addition, Gayle Oddi, the county’s Food Drive Coordinator, and Julie Brown of Magellan continue their traditional wager, which states that whoever collects the lesser amount of food must deliver their collected items wearing a large, colorful turkey costume.

County Councilman Dave White announced the start of the 2016 Food Drive at the Oct. 5 County Council meeting, encouraging participation by employees, residents, and merchants doing business at the Courthouse, Government Center, and all designated county offices.

“The need for food assistance is greater now than ever. This is still a tough economy for many folks, and it is crucial that we continue to reach out to our families in need,” said White. “It’s not just people living in poverty who face hunger.

“It’s senior citizens who choose between paying for food and paying for medicine. It’s families with children who are eating less, or eating less nutritious food. Those of us who are able should extend a helping hand to those who are less fortunate.”

This year, donations will be delivered on Oct. 28 to the food bank at East Side in Chester, while First United Methodist in Media will accept the second delivery on Nov. 18.

Suggested donations include canned meats (chicken, tuna, ham), boxed or canned side dishes (rice, potatoes, pasta), peanut butter, jelly, unsweetened cereal, infant formula, coffee, tea, canned vegetables (tomatoes, peas, corn), and canned fruits and soups.

Individuals who want to make donations or families who want information about the food centers can call Family and Community Service of Delaware County at 610-566-7540. For more information about how you can participate in the 2016 Thanksgiving Food Drive, contact the Office of Behavioral Health at 610-713-2365.