By Richard L. Gaw

Staff Writer

Kennett Area Community Services (KACS), in partnership with other local organizations, is spearheading a drive to deliver food to the community during the COVID-19 crisis.

The other participating groups include the Square Roots Collective, the United Way of Southern Chester County and the Southern Chester County Opportunity Network.

Normally, KACS receives over 90 percent of the food it provides to the community from donations by the public and local grocery stores.

However, due to the pandemic, KACS  had to suspend receiving food donations from the public and has not been able to pick-up donated food from local grocery stores. Cash donations have helped to supplement the existing stockpile but purchase limits at stores and funding limits have made it difficult to keep food available.

The drive is already paying dividends. On April 3, the KACS distributed food to 140 families in the community.

“Every single donation -- food or cash -- helps us help others,” said KACS Executive Director Leah M. Reynolds. “KACS continues in its work to provide much-needed food support to the many families in this area that suffer from food insecurity. Prior to COVID-19, we had 550 families (with 900 children) registered at the Food Cupboard for monthly support. 

“Since March 13, when COVID-19 was declared a pandemic in the United States, we have seen a significant rise in the number of people seeking help with food and emergency assistance. Our social workers are working hard to help people navigate the systems available to them and provide support where possible.”

Those interested in contributing are asked to make their deliveries to the Kennett YMCA parking lot, located at 101 Race Street in Kennett Square, on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Visitors are asked to store all donated items in their vehicle’s trunk, which will then be received by volunteers upon arrival at the Kennett YMCA. All donated food items must be shelf-ready and labeled, and no bulk items will be accepted.

Acceptable items for donation include rice, jelly or jam, peanut butter, canned fish or chicken, canned fruit, canned vegetables, pasta, sauce, cereal, beans and coffee and tea.

To learn more about KACS and how to make donations, visit www.kacsonline.net. 

To contact Staff Writer Richard L. Gaw, email [email protected].