As part of their 2012 Chesapeake Cares Holiday Program, Chesapeake Utilities Corporation announced on Monday a financial donation to the Food Bank of Delaware to provide holiday meals to 600 families in Kent and Sussex counties.
Three-hundred of the 600 boxes were distributed by volunteers from Chesapeake Utilities Corporation outside its natural gas location on South Queen Street in Dover on Monday. Another 300 boxes were distributed by Chesapeake and Sharp Energy employees outside Grace United Methodist Church in Georgetown today. The boxes contained nonperishable food items to cook a holiday meal. Families also received a frozen turkey, bag of sweet potatoes and various baked goods.
Dover Mayor Carleton Carey was on hand to assist with the distribution in Dover. In his remarks, the mayor focused on the importance of giving back. “I would personally like to acknowledge these two 
companies for their partnership to create awareness around food insecurity in Dover this holiday season,” he said.
“We were all very grateful for the distribution that took place at our church,” said Pastor Betty Jo Magee of Grace United Methodist Church in Georgetown. “We are thankful for the many needs that were met and for the generosity of Chesapeake Utilities Corporation and the Food Bank of Delaware. It was truly overwhelming.”
“This is a very important day for Chesapeake, as it represents the culmination of our 
first Chesapeake Cares holiday program and partnership with the Food Bank of Delaware,” said Chesapeake Utilities President and CEO Mike McMasters. “For the past few weeks our employees and families have volunteered their time to make today a reality. All of our employees are happy that we are in a position to help some of those in need this holiday season.”
“We continue to hear stories from Delawareans who are struggling to put meals on the table,” said Food Bank of Delaware President and CEO Patricia Beebe. “From seniors who choose between food and medications to parents who have difficulties providing weekend food for their children, many members of our community have been impacted by the economic downturn. The support of Chesapeake Utilities Corporation is greatly appreciated and comes at a time when our community’s support is needed more than ever.”
In addition to the holiday food distribution, Chesapeake Utilities Corporation is also making funding available to ensure that the elderly, ill and those facing financial hardship are not forgotten during the cold winter months when energy bills are at their peak. Grants are available to income-eligible customers of Chesapeake Utilities and Sharp Energy with additional amounts available for those over the age of 60. Also, the SHARING program has additional grants for appliance purchases or repair; the recently unemployed; and customers who are in need due to serious illness or family tragedy. Learn more about SHARING at www.chpk.com/sharing.
The Food Bank of Delaware distributes between seven and 10 million pounds of food and grocery products each year its network of 508 hunger-relief program partners throughout the state and also provides thousands of meals a month for children through the After-School Feeding Program, the Summer Food Service Program and the Backpack Program. The Food Bank’s hunger-relief programs directly provide for 241,600 Delawareans at risk of going without meals each year. For more information about the Food Bank of Delaware, visit www.fbd.org or call (302) 424-3301.
About Chesapeake Utilities Corporation
Chesapeake Utilities Corporation is a diversified utility company engaged in natural gas distribution, transmission and marketing, electric distribution, propane gas distribution and wholesale marketing, advanced information services and other related services. Information about Chesapeake’s businesses is available at www.chpk.com.
