For years, nonprofits and food pantries in Delaware County faced roadblocks when getting their supplies. Even though nine percent of the county’s population is food insecure, pantries had to make the trek out to northeast Philadelphia to get their food.

Now, the food bank Caring for Friends is helping fulfill the county’s needs, with a new 10,000-square-foot warehouse in Essington, writes Pete Bannan for The Daily Times.  

It’s meant to reduce delivery times and to save the drive to the other Caring for Friends warehouse which is almost an hour each way from the county.  

Caring for Friends was started by Rita Ungaro-Schiavone in 1974 and now her son Vincent is taking the reins as the CEO. He said that the county is the “second largest need” outside of Philadelphia proper.  

It’s open two days a week when community partners can get their produce and dry food. Volunteers can also pick up meals for seniors, individuals with disabilities, and veterans.  

Caring for Friends gives businesses the opportunity to drop off discarded food items. It alleviates food waste and gives pantries more options.  

“Nobody wants to waste food and nobody wants to need food and not have it,” Schiavone said. “It’s the people of Delaware County that will help the people of Delaware County.” 

Learn more about Caring for Friends in The Daily Times.