Delco food drive goal is 20,000 pounds

DELAWARE COUNTY

Food-drive goal is 20,000 pounds

MEDIA Delaware County opened its Thanksgiving food drive with a goal of collecting 20,000 pounds of food.

The 12th annual drive, a partnership between the county and Magellan Behavioral Health, will collect nonperishable food.

Area food pantries have reported an increase in need. Denina Hood of St. Mary's Episcopal Church food pantry in Chester said the church had a 7 percent increase in meals served in the last year.

"Families continue to struggle to keep food on the table," Hood said in a release about the food drive. "While many folks have returned to work, they are working fewer hours at lower wages and have difficulty keeping up."

The Delaware County Thanksgiving food drive collected more than 18,000 pounds of food in 2013. To make a donation or participate in the food drive, call 610-713-2365.

- Laura McCrystal