On behalf of the Board of Directors of the Community Food Pantry and our partner volunteers working on the local “Back Pack Programs”, I would like to thank The Peoples Bank for their visionary leadership to fight hunger in Kent County. The recent Chester Gras Celebration sponsored by The Peoples Bank raised over $5,000 to help feed hungry kids in our community.
“Let the Good Times Roll” was the theme of the Chester Gras Celebration on Saturday March 1. The beautiful weather saw a Mardi Gras Parade around Fountain Park led by The Peoples Bank President Ralph Dowling, followed by music by the “Queen City Stompers” and gumbo under the tent at People’s Bank. Local restaurants, including The Blue Heron, Brooks Tavern, The Fish Whistle The Imperial Hotel, The Kitchen, The Lemon Leaf Cafe, and Uncle Charlie’s Bistro donated the gumbo in various styles. King Cake, a New Orleans Mardi Gras staple, hot dogs and drinks were also available. A silent auction and 50/50 raffle also filled out the day, with over 40 local merchants contributing items for the silent auction.
By attending Chester Gras, revelers not only had a good time, but also were able to do good for the community.
By supporting The Back Pack Program, we help insure that kids have food on weekends, when the school breakfast and lunch programs are closed. Local community groups and faith communities work with six local schools to identify at risk children who are in need of food on the weekends. Volunteers pack a weekend supply of food, mostly in single serving items and deliver it to schools every week during the school year. The “back packs” they deliver provide needed food to about 270 children every week! Last year the Community Food Pantry provided over $20,000 in food to the Back Pack Program, mostly in the form of snack, breakfast and lunch items. The local volunteers also purchase food to insure that there is always something for children to eat.
The Community Food Pantry and our partners with Back Pack Programs around the county are extremely grateful for the support of The Peoples Bank and the local merchants who made Chester Gras such a wonderful event. Working together we can have a good time and do tremendous good in Kent County. No child should go to bed hungry in our community, and Chester Gras helps us move towards that goal.
Bob Schminkey
Chair, Community Food Pantry Board of Directors
Food Pantry Board Members: Ron Athey, Joe Baker, Margie Baker, Sue Basener, Sue Caswell, Jim Gribble, Jim Harbeson, Marti Hawkins, Jim Landskroener, Bob Schminkey, Mike Shanley, Charles Tilghman and Program Director, Miriam Greenlee
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