DART’s ‘Stuff the Bus’ campaign launches this week as holiday food collections continue

Volunteers transfer turkeys from a refrigerated truck into DART buses for Big Ive’s Turkey Drive and Give-a-Away in November 2023. Photo courtesy DETV

DETV’s Ivan Thomas plans to give away 3,000 turkeys this year in his Big Ive’s Turkey Drive, increasing the giveaway by about 400 over last year.

The program is the successor to Norman Oliver’s longtime Wilmington Thanksgiving giveaway, which gave away 250,000 turkeys over its 40-year run.

“Last year’s Big Ive’s Turkey Drive taught me something powerful—when you truly listen to your community, you realize how much people need more than just food,” Thomas said Wednesday.

“They need hope, connection, and the reminder that someone is in their corner. Seeing the impact we made opened my eyes and changed me. It reminded me that our work at DETV is bigger than broadcasting; it’s about being a pillar for our community.”

Big Ive’s is one of several big Thanksgiving food drives, including ones by the Food Bank of Delaware, WSFS Bank and DART’s Stuff the Bus campaign.

They are by no means the only ones, because a lot of churches and community groups up and down Delaware offer their own.

In Sussex County, for example, Mountaire Farms will host hundreds of volunteers who last year helped pack 14,000 complete holiday meals featuring one of their roasters. Those meals go to area churches and nonprofits that sign up early to distribute them to the needy in their communities.

Let’s kick off the roundup with ‘Stuff the Bus.’

DART’s Stuff the Bus Food Drive and the Food Bank of Delaware have announced the start of their Thanksgiving food drives.

DART’s ‘Stuff The Bus’ Drive

DART invites Delaware residents to donate food at six locations around Delaware Nov. 4-9 as it tries to stuff its buses with items for those who suffer from food insecurity.

The state transit system hopes to collect 20 tons of nonperishable food that will go to the Food Bank of Delaware and be distributed through its 745 Hunger Relief Partners.

Dropoffs are near participating grocery stores, and donations will be accepted from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Monday, Nov. 4 — Giant Food, 19312 Lighthouse Plaza, Rehoboth Beach, a new location for the drive

Tuesday, Nov. 5 — Target, 148 John Hunn Brown Road, Dover, a new location

Wednesday, Nov. 6 — ShopRite of First State Plaza, 1600 W. Newport Pike, Stanton

Thursday, Nov. 7 — Wilmington’s Rodney Square on the Market Street Side

Friday, Nov. 8 — ShopRite of Brandywine Commons, 1300 Rocky Run Parkway, Wilmington

Saturday, Nov. 9 — ShopRite of Four Seasons, 700 Plaza Drive, Newark

Big Ive’s Turkey Drive

“We’re not just giving out turkeys; we’re giving people the support and care they deserve,” Thomas said.

Last year, “Big Ive’s Turkey Drive and Give-A-Way” delivered about 2,600 turkeys to the city’s elderly and disadvantaged families.

This year, organizer Katrese Thomas, Ivan’s wife, said the number will increase to 3,000.

Katrese said there will be a few other changes.

The drive previously dropped off about 100 turkeys to the apartment complexes on its routes, regardless of the number of residents, which likely meant some people didn’t get a bird.

“So now we are going to try to meet the needs of every single resident in the building,” she said, “so that it’s not a first-come, first-serve situation, and we are really truly trying to serve everyone.”

The drive is also adding another stop to its traditional delivery to Wilmington apartment complexes, with Imani Village joining the list.

The Divine 9, as members call an association of African American fraternities and sororities, will continue to provide sides for one housing complex, Katrese Thomas said.

However, the drive isn’t capable of acquiring, packaging or delivering sides to everyone right now, she said.

RELATED STORY: Big Ive’s got big plans as he takes on Wilmington Turkey Drive

Last year’s partners are returning, including DART, which provides buses for delivery.

Big Ive’s has a new partner, the Food Bank of Delaware, which will provide turkeys.

Katrese took over management of the drive from Michelle Fidance, who retired from Multiplying Good.

She is spending this year familiarizing herself with the program and process. Someday, she hopes, the drive will be able to provide sides, too.

“It doesn’t mean we won’t consider it in the future, but right now, I think, more than anything, we just want to make sure we continue the 41-year tradition,” she said.

The drive welcomes turkeys donations- mostly from Food Lion and other large companies- or cash. To donate money, go here.

The organization happily takes small donations as well as large ones, he said.

Distribution will take place Nov. 26 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The 76ers Fieldhouse is the base of operation as turkeys are transferred from refrigerated trucks to buses for Wilmington and vans for south Delaware. Some of the Blue Coats come out to help load and unload.

Katrese said that the YMCA’s Color Guard will lead the procession when it leaves to deliver the birds.

“They bring a certain level of enthusiasm when you’re just getting started at eight o’clock in the morning, with the band playing and the color guard doing their thing,” she said. “It really just sets the tone for the rest of the day. I cannot even explain how much of an impact that makes.”

In Wilmington, turkeys will be delivered to Herlihy Apartments, Compton Towers, Windsor Apartments, Quaker Hill Place, Sacred Heart, Luther Towers 1, Luther Towers 2, Lincoln Towers, Parkview Apartments, Terry Apartments, Baynard Apartments, Crestview Apartments,  Imani Village (Leasing Office) and Greater Newark Boys & Girls Club.

The drive reflects the DETV’s mission, Ivan Thomas said.

“We’re more than a network of communication—we’re a lifeline and community that sees a better Delaware, and we’re going to keep pushing to lift our community higher every day,” he said.

Food Bank of Delaware

This year, the Food Bank of Delaware opened its annual food drive in September, two weeks earlier than normal.

Deadlines are earlier in November, too, with the nonprofit asking people to be sure Thanksgiving donations are made by noon on Friday, Nov. 8. Items delivered later will be distributed during the rest of the holiday season.

The Food Bank and Food Lion also will sponsor a turkey roundup on Nov. 7 in three locations. Representatives will be available to take turkeys from 11 a.m to 7 p.m. at:

• Food Lion, 501 W. Main Street, Middletown
• Food Lion, 1030 Forest Ave., Dover
• Food Lion, 2004 Midway Drive, Harrington

While inflation is cooling, grocery prices still remain high, and, as a result, more Delawareans are turning to the Food Bank for assistance, the organization said in a press release.

Last year, the Food Bank’s on-site Healthy Pantry Centers were utilized more than 46,000 times, and help is needed to be sure Delawareans have hot holiday meals on the table this season.

“Thanksgiving is a time where we all come together to celebrate what we are most thankful for. This year, I am thankful for the generous spirit of Delawareans,” said President and CEO Cathy Kanefsky. “We are committed to making sure no Delawarean goes without a holiday meal. To do this, we need the support of our community.

The Food Bank recommends two several ways to help:

• Host an online fundraiser: That enables the Food Bank to purchase items that are most in need. The Food Bank’s buying power is strong; for every dollar donated, the Food Bank of Delaware can provide three meals to Delawareans in need.
• Host an in-person food drive: For individuals and businesses interested in conducting physical food drives, cardboard collection boxes may be picked up (participants may also use their own collection boxes!), and donations may be delivered to the Food Bank of Delaware in Newark (222 Lake Drive) and Milford (102 Delaware Veterans Blvd.) Monday-Thursday from 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. and Friday 8:30 am. – Noon.

The most needed holiday items, it said, are:

• Applesauce
• Cranberry sauce
• Oatmeal
• Cold cereals
• Pudding mix
• Canned pumpkin
• Graham cracker pie crust
• Canned gravy
• Rice
• Macaroni and cheese
• Mashed potatoes
• Stuffing
• Hearty soups
• Corn muffin mix
• Canned sweet potatoes and yams
• Canned peas and green beans
• 100% fruit juice
• Hot chocolate
• Coffee and tea
• Evaporated milk
• Turkey pans
• Frozen turkeys (must be dropped off to Newark or Milford warehouses)

WSFS Food Drive

WSFS Bank once again will be collecting food through the holidays, with banking offices serving as deposit locations for non-perishable donations from WSFS associates, customers and community members through Dec. 31, 2024.

In Delaware, the drive kicked off at WSFS Bank Center in Wilmington, Del., with the Sunday Breakfast Mission to encourage associates to bring nonperishable donations to help jumpstart the Food Drive.

Grocery bags also will be distributed in Delaware publications this fall for consumers to fill with donations to drop at their nearest WSFS banking office.

“Many households are struggling to put food on the table due to the surging cost of living and essentials,” said Vernita L. Dorsey, senior vice president and director of Community Strategy at WSFS Bank. “We hope to make a difference by partnering with Sharing Excess and the Sunday Breakfast Mission. Every donation, no matter how small, can make a big difference.”

The Rev. Tom Laymon, senior pastor/CEO/president at Sunday Breakfast Mission, said it was grateful to the bank for the 22 years it has supported the shelter and that the drive has collected food for over 1.3 million meals.

“Right now, Sunday Breakfast Mission is seeing more people than ever coming to them for help,” Laymon said. “We need the food donations to flood in so that hungry families can have a great Thanksgiving season.”

 To donate at a nearby WSFS bank, find a location here.

Mountaire volunteers handle packing duties at last year’s Thanksgiving meal packing.

Mountaire’s Thanksgiving for Thousands

Sussex County’s Pack the Pod

Sussex County will accept food donations from Nov. 1 through December for its annual Pack the Pod program.

Donors are invited to drop off food at the county’s administration building at 2 The Circle, Georgetown or bring it with them to Caroling on the Circle Thursday, Dec. 5, to fill the county’s pod.

This year, Sussex County is partnering with the Food Bank to allow residents to simply make a cash donation by using a QR code already set up. To give money, aim your camera at this code:

Caroling_on_The_Circle_2024_giving_QR_Code.png

In a repeat of last year’s consolidation of holiday events, Caroling will take place from 6 p.m. to 6:45 p.m., followed by the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce’s tree lighting ceremony and then the annual Christmas Parade starting at 7 p.m.

For the latest details, check the county’s website.

Did we miss your holiday food drive? If so, please send details and a contact email AND phone number to [email protected], and we’ll add them.

Betsy Price

Betsy Price is a Wilmington freelance writer who has 40 years of experience, including 15 at The News Journal in Delaware.