The National Guard delivered thousands of meals to Delaware County Tuesday in an effort to replenish supplies at food pantries, senior centers and homeless shelters.

Dozens of pallets of food were delivered by the Pennsylvania National Guard to Interboro High School, Drexel Hill Middle School and Chester City Hall.  Each site received about 28,000 meals.

Food donation programs are trying to keep up with the sudden demand for food triggered by school and business closures, unemployment and other economic fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Delaware County Council, working with the county’s Department of Human Services and Department of Emergency Services coordinated the food delivery.

Schools and organizations across the County are providing grab and go meals to residents in need. Senior centers and homeless shelters have also been coordinating food distribution for the elderly and homeless.

You can click on this interactive map to find locations and information about food assistance.

Additional food resources for the community can be found here.

Residents who would like to donate food to be distributed to residents in need can call 610-713-2365.

“This is an example of Delco coming together when our community needs it the most,” said Delaware County Council Vice Chairman Dr. Monica Taylor.

The county worked with the state Department of Human Services to access MREs (Meals Ready to Eat) as part of President Trump’s nationwide emergency declaration, according to Shannon Fitzpatrick Thomas, coordinator for the Delaware County Department of Human Services, writes Pete Bannan for the Daily Times.

Some of the MREs  will be distributed through Family and Community Services in Media, which oversees food pantries in the county.

Officials report food supplies are stable with most of the food pantries reporting a 20 percent to 50 percent increase in activity.