Cathy Kanefsky is the president and CEO of the Food Bank of Delaware.
A paycheck matters. So does having a place where your contributions are valued, your co-workers count on you, and you have the support to succeed.
For me, that belief is both professional and deeply personal.
My husband, Carl, and I have three sons. Our oldest boys are twins, Sam and Adam, and were born 16 weeks premature. At age 5, they were diagnosed with autism. They also live with cerebral palsy, epilepsy and intellectual disabilities. Our family has navigated challenges we never could have anticipated, but we have also watched two remarkable young men grow up wanting what we all want: to belong, contribute and have opportunities to thrive.
That experience has shaped how I see the world and our work at the Food Bank of Delaware.
October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month, an opportunity to celebrate the contributions of employees with disabilities and examine the barriers that still prevent too many people from finding meaningful work.
In 2025, the unemployment rate for Americans with disabilities was 8.3%, roughly twice the 4.1% rate for people without disabilities, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. People with disabilities are also twice as likely to experience food insecurity.
Creating paths to economic mobility means more than opening the door to employment; it means recognizing what an individual can contribute and providing the support needed to succeed.
When I joined the Food Bank in 2021, I saw tremendous potential to create more opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities to learn, work and contribute.
For more than a decade, the Food Bank provided culinary training for teens and young adults with disabilities through its preemployment transition services. In 2022, we expanded that work with The Kitchen School, a 12-week food service training program for adults with disabilities.
In 2023, we launched our Specialized Training Employment Program, creating opportunities for people with disabilities to work at the Food Bank with ongoing support from a team of skilled professionals that we hired. Our team members help STEP associates learn their responsibilities, navigate challenges and grow in their roles.
We see every day what happens when people have opportunities to contribute their talents in workplaces that recognize their strengths. Our STEP associates have meaningful responsibilities, their co-workers count on them, and their contributions make the Food Bank stronger.
As a mother, I have wondered what the future would hold for my sons. As an employer, I also know how much organizations can gain when we look beyond limitations and ask: What does this person do well and what support will enable him or her to succeed?
This October, I encourage Delaware employers to consider the talent they may be overlooking. Connect with organizations providing employment services for people with disabilities. Review your hiring practices. Improve accommodations. Consider job coaching. Most importantly, see the person and his or her potential before the diagnosis.
My sons have taught me that inclusion isn’t simply about inviting someone into the room; it’s making sure they know they belong there.
At the Food Bank of Delaware, helping our neighbors put food on the table today goes hand in hand with helping them build a more secure tomorrow. When people have opportunities to earn, contribute and grow, our workplaces become stronger, our communities become more inclusive, and more people have the chance to thrive.
Reader reactions, pro or con, are welcomed at civiltalk@iniusa.org.
