Cathy Kanefsky is the president and CEO of the Food Bank of Delaware.
The holiday season is a time when many of us gather with family and friends, reflect on the past year and look ahead with hope. For thousands of Delaware families, however, the season brings added financial strain and worry, making it hard to feel hopeful. Even though the recent government shutdown and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (formerly food stamps) halt have ended, the pressures facing our neighbors have not. The high cost of living — from groceries and rent to utilities, child care and health care — continues to push many households to the edge.
At the Food Bank of Delaware, we see the reality of these challenges every day. Even before the shutdown, demand at our on-site and partner pantries and mobile distributions was elevated.
Ultimately, when the cost of basic necessities outpaces wages, families are forced to make impossible choices. As we head into the new year, our mission remains constant: to ensure that no one has to make the difficult choice between food and other everyday essentials.
Realizing that mission is only possible through strong community partnerships. Our network of nonprofits, schools, faith communities and other community-based organizations stretches from Claymont to Selbyville, forming a statewide safety net that reaches Delawareans wherever they are. Together, these partnerships ensure that our neighbors don’t have to choose between eating and paying for other basic necessities.
Just as importantly, these partners know their communities intimately — the families who stop by after school pickup, the older adults who need a little extra support between Social Security checks, plus the working parents juggling multiple jobs. By meeting people where they live and work, our partners help ensure that food and resources reach those who need them most, multiplying the reach of the Food Bank of Delaware many times over.
Still, even the strongest network cannot solve hunger alone. Addressing food insecurity requires more than acts of charity; it demands strong public systems, thoughtful policy and a shared commitment to ensuring that every family can meet its basic needs. Investments in affordable housing, access to child care and wages that reflect the true cost of living all help reduce pressure on emergency food systems and allow families to thrive.
Delaware has always been a state defined by empathy and action. We show up for one another through policy decisions, community collaboration and a shared belief that every person deserves dignity.
So, this season, may those of us blessed with roofs over our heads and food on our own tables hold space for those still searching for stability. Let’s continue working together to build a Delaware where every family has the security, opportunity and support they need all year long.
Personally, my hope is to see more peace and less desperation in the eyes of our neighbors. As we close out the year and look toward 2026 with renewed hope, we are reminded that every act of generosity matters. This holiday season, please join me in making sure that every family can enter the new year with nourishment, dignity and the knowledge that their neighbors care. From the bottom of my heart, thank you.
Reader reactions, pro or con, are welcomed at civiltalk@iniusa.org.
