When SNAP benefits were paused, and families across Delaware County were struggling to put food on the table, two of the county’s philanthropic organizations stepped in to provide emergency funding.

The Foundation for Delaware County and The Community’s Foundation activated the Delaware County Rapid Response Fund in November 2025, mobilizing emergency dollars for nonprofits on the front lines of a gathering crisis caused by federal funding cuts, a government shutdown, delays in the state budget, and the lingering impact of the closure of Crozer Health.

The Fund received support from 17 anonymous donors, 10 organizations, and 56 individual donations.

A Crisis That Required a Rapid Response

By the fall of 2025, the pressures facing Delaware County families had become severe. Gaps in healthcare, food and housing instability, rising costs of living, and uncertainty about federal and state funding had stretched nonprofits to their limits. When SNAP disruptions hit, the need for immediate action became apparent.

Each foundation seeded the Rapid Response Fund with an initial investment of $25,000. Additional philanthropic partners quickly joined, led by a $50,000 grant from the Saunders House Foundation.

Within the first week of announcing the grant opportunity, more than 30 organizations applied.

“In the fall of 2025, our community faced a critical moment,” said Michael Kellerman, president of The Foundation for Delaware County, and Dierdre Konar, president of The Community’s Foundation, in a joint statement from the Delaware County Rapid Response Fund report. “Families across Delaware County were already grappling with significant challenges — gaps in health care, food and housing instability, and the rising cost of living. The closure of Crozer Health, ongoing economic hardships, and funding cuts and delays at the federal and state levels created enormous gaps in services — gaps no single organization could fill alone.”

To date, nearly $150,000 in grants have been distributed to 25 nonprofit organizations across the county.

Where the Money Went

Of the $146,700 distributed through the Rapid Response Fund, 67 percent — or $98,700 — went to food security. An additional 23 percent, or $33,000, addressed basic needs, while 10 percent, or $15,000, supported housing stability.

Voices From the Front Lines

For the Domestic Abuse Project of Delaware County, the stakes could not have been higher. The organization received $10,000 to provide emergency housing support after losing funding from FEMA’s Emergency Food and Shelter Program.

“These funds will support almost three months of mortgage payments for DAP’s emergency safe house, a crucial need for our community and those fleeing domestic violence,” said Michelle Brown, executive director of the Domestic Abuse Project.

The Rapid Response Fund gave the DAP ” a little breathing room” as they waited for state funds to be released to cover work the organization had done since July.

Murphy’s Giving Market, which received $9,000 to purchase food and meet rising demand, experienced the fund’s impact firsthand.

“The Rapid Response Fund grant arrived at a critical moment,” said Desiree Murphy Morrissey, executive director of Murphy’s Giving Market. “As rising food costs, SNAP changes, and funding uncertainty increased demand at Murphy’s Giving Market exponentially, this support allowed us to purchase food and other essentials to ensure no family was turned away. It reinforced our role as a lifeline and a place of dignity, respect, and stability for our community during an incredibly challenging year.”

The Grant Recipients

Health Educated, Inc. — $5,000 To directly support families impacted by SNAP funding delays through grocery gift cards.

Imago Dei Metropolitan Community Church — DELCO Food Project — $4,200 To supplement non-perishable foods no longer supplied by the SHARE Food Program as a result of federal funding reductions.

AFA Agency: All For All Agency — $5,000 To provide emergency food assistance to residents of the William Penn School District.

BFRIN — $4,000 To provide essential food to Delaware County residents through weekly food pantries in Ridley Park, Tinicum, and Upper Darby.

Caring for Friends — $5,000 To support restocking partner pantries and Homebound Meals recipients across Delaware County.

CCSA Foundation — $5,000 To provide emergency food assistance to families experiencing food insecurity due to recent reductions or loss of SNAP benefits.

Chester Eastside, Inc. — $5,000 To address food insecurity across Delaware County.

Chester Housing Initiative, Inc. — $10,000 To expand the number of food boxes for families and increase the amount of food in each box.

Community Action Agency of Delaware County, Inc. (CAADC) — $5,000 To provide food vouchers and increase support for CAADC’s food pantry.

Delco Helping Hands Association — $5,000 To expand support for families experiencing food insecurity in Delaware County.

Domestic Abuse Project of Delaware County, Inc. — $10,000 To provide emergency housing support after the loss of FEMA’s Emergency Food and Shelter Program funding, covering nearly three months of mortgage payments for DAP’s emergency safe house.

Drexel Neumann Academy — $5,000 To provide food support to students.

Family Support Line — $5,000 To provide essential services resulting from the loss of government funds.

Feeding The 4,000 — $2,500 To sustain and expand essential food services during the period of economic disruption.

Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry, Prospect Hill Baptist Church — $5,000 To purchase and provide protein-rich foods to families in Delaware County.

Making a Change Group — $7,000 To provide families in Delaware County with healthy meals and grocery store gift cards.

Maternity Care Coalition — $5,000 To support Delaware County residents affected by the government shutdown and disruption of SNAP benefits.

Media Food Bank — $5,000 To purchase food and essential items for Delaware County residents affected by the economic crisis.

Multicultural Community Family Services — $9,000 To support the direct purchase and delivery of nutritious and culturally appropriate foods for families, seniors, and individuals in need.

Murphy’s Giving Market — $9,000 To support food purchases and meet rising demand, ensuring no family is turned away.

Neighbor to Neighbor Community Dev. Corp. — $5,000 To purchase perishable and non-perishable foods for distribution to vulnerable populations.

Operation LookForward, Inc. — $5,000 To provide food and essential supplies to seniors living in Chestnut Ridge Apartments and The Palmer House in Chester.

Rising Hope For Change — $5,000 To address food insecurity, housing instability, and economic strain facing low-income families in Delaware County.

Stepnup Mentoring and Community Interactions — $3,000 To expand a free meal program for families.

The Minority Center for Participation and Empowerment — $5,000 To provide basic needs to families facing food insecurity and housing instability due to the federal shutdown and delayed state budget.

Trinity Transitional House Inc. — $5,000 To provide safe, temporary housing for individuals experiencing homelessness or housing instability as a result of the economic crisis.

Work of Faith Community Development Corp. — $3,000 To provide families in Delaware County with food, household items, and referrals to social service organizations.

A Fund Built to Last

Kellerman and Konar are clear that the Rapid Response Fund is not a one-time effort. It was established in perpetuity — meaning it will remain available when the next crisis demands a response.

“When it comes to generating the resources needed to drive meaningful change, we are stronger together,” they said. “The Rapid Response Fund is not going away. It will be available when the next crisis impacts our community. This is why Community Foundations exist.”

To learn more about the Delaware County Rapid Response Fund or to contribute, visit delcofoundation.org.