In Middletown, Our Daily Bread has become a critical resource in helping meet those needs.
By John Riddle
On any given day in Middletown, volunteers at Our Daily Bread are hard at work preparing meals, stocking shelves, organizing donated food, greeting guests, and making sure struggling neighbors know they are not alone.
For thousands of Delaware residents facing food insecurity, that work has become a lifeline.
According to Feeding America, between 11 and 13 percent of Delawareans struggle with food insecurity, including one in six children across the state. Food insecurity also disproportionately impacts Black and Hispanic residents, with roughly one in five facing challenges accessing consistent meals.
Photo courtesy of Our Daily Bread
In Middletown, Our Daily Bread has become a critical resource in helping meet those needs.
The volunteer-run organization recently earned a major honor when it was selected as the 2026 Business of the Year by the Middletown Area Chamber of Commerce during the chamber’s annual gala in May.
For Jennifer Atkinson, Board President of Our Daily Bread, the recognition shines a light on the heart behind the organization’s mission.
“Our mission is at the heart of everything we do, ensuring that every person who walks through our doors is treated with dignity, compassion, and respect,” Atkinson said. “Our meals and outdoor market are about more than filling an empty stomach. It’s about nourishing the heart, restoring the spirit, and reminding people they are cared for.”
That mission continues to grow.
In 2025 alone, Our Daily Bread distributed more than 55,000 meals to neighbors in need. The organization also provided over 288,000 pounds of rescued food through its Free Outdoor Market, a resource that remains available around the clock through outdoor refrigerators, freezers, produce stands, and grocery shelves.
Today, nearly 2,000 people pick up meals from the organization each month.
Volunteers also prepared and distributed more than 8,000 sandwiches in 2025 while helping provide nearly 400 Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday meals for local families.
One of the organization’s newest efforts has proven especially impactful.
Every Friday, Our Daily Bread transforms its dining room into a temporary grocery store. More than 4,700 pounds of rescued food can arrive on Friday mornings, allowing over 70 people to “shop” for groceries to help sustain themselves and their families through the weekend.
The rescued food comes through partnerships with 18 Food Rescue Partners, businesses committed to reducing food waste while helping local residents in need.
Behind the scenes, the scale of the operation depends heavily on community involvement.
More than 500 volunteers help manage the many moving parts needed to keep the organization operating smoothly, while over 1,000 donors help support programs and services financially. More than 35 service groups, including churches, schools, businesses, residential communities, and civic organizations, also contribute their time and support throughout the year.
That spirit of volunteerism was highlighted again recently when longtime volunteer Lois Davis received the prestigious Governor’s Volunteer Service Award.
Despite the success and support, challenges remain.
One of the biggest ongoing concerns is keeping the outdoor food market stocked, particularly during weekends when meals are not being served onsite and demand rises significantly.
Each month, more than 500 guests visit the facility specifically for the outdoor market.
As food costs continue to rise for many Delaware families, organizations like Our Daily Bread are seeing firsthand how quickly circumstances can change for individuals and households facing difficult times.
The organization hopes the community will continue stepping forward to help through donations, sponsorships, volunteer work, and increased awareness about available services.
Supporters can also participate in fundraising efforts like Cabaret for a Cause, one of the organization’s signature events.
For many guests who walk through the doors each week, the impact goes far beyond the food itself.
It is a reminder that someone cares.
More information about Our Daily Bread, volunteer opportunities, and ways to donate can be found on the organization’s website.
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This post was originally published on TownSquareDelaware
