In Delaware County, approximately 4,400 individuals, nearly 10% of the population of the county, rely on SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits to feed their families and themselves, according to Delaware County NY Department of Social Services (DSS). As a result of the federal government shutdown, SNAP benefits were defunded on November 1.
The following is an inventory of area food banks offering emergency support as well as a list on-going food drives and ways for people to donate food to help combat local food insecurity.
The Delaware Opportunities Food Bank serves people in Delaware County in need of food, clothing, and household items. There is a total of 17 Delaware Opportunities pantries in Delaware County and clients should use the pantry in which they reside. For those who may not reside near a local pantry, the Food Bank in Hamden, located at 35430 State Highway 10, Hamden, NY, is open Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Friday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. (closed for lunch from 12-1 p.m.). Clients are allowed to use the food bank once a month for food. Delaware Opportunities also does monthly food distributions from April to October in Hamden. Call 607-746-1600 for more information or contact Kelly Short, Food Bank Coordinator, at 607-746-1685 or kshort@delop.org.
Delaware County
• Delaware Opportunities Loaves & Fishes Ecumenical Food Bank is located at 316 W. Main St., Hancock (Father Rausch Hall). Open every Tuesday from 1 to 3 p.m. Closed on the fifth Tuesday of the month. Emergency food support for Hancock residents is available. For more information call 607-637-2571 or 607-637-2571.
• Delaware Opportunities East Branch Food Pantry is located at the Earl Pomeroy Memorial Center at 25 Church Street, East Branch. Open every Thursday from 1 to 2:30 p.m. In addition to food, clothing, shoes, linens, and small household items are available. More information offered at 607-746-1685.
• Readburn Our Daily Bread Food Pantry is located at Readburn Assembly of God Church, 6288 Old County Highway 17, Fishs Eddy, NY. Open every second and fourth Sunday from 12:30 to 2 p.m. Deliveries available for emergency requests. More Information offered at 607-637-4832.
• Delaware Opportunities Colchester Community Food Pantry is located at the Methodist Church, 15151 State Highway 30, Downsville, on Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. or as needed. Call 607-363-7363.
• Delaware Opportunities Hancock Senior Dining Program meets Monday through Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Baptist Church located at 232 Wheeler Street, Hancock. Hot and nutritious meals for community residents 60 years or older and their spouses. Call Delaware Opportunities at 607-746-1710 for more information. Hancock contact number is 607 637-2219. Home delivered meals are also available.
Wayne County PA
• Lakewood Pantry located at the Northern Wayne Health Center at 412 Como Road on the third Wednesday of each month from 12:30 to 2:20 p.m. Call 570-798-2229 for more information and if you are in need of emergency food.
• The Salvation Army Honesdale Service Extension and Food Pantry at 231 Sunrise Ave, Honesdale, PA. Tuesday and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and the first Tuesday monthly from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. No income requirements but ID with proof of Wayne County residency. More information at 570-479-6375.
• Wayne County Food Pantry—Damascus Pantry site at the Damascus Township Building, 60 Conklin Road, Damascus, PA. on the third Thursday of each month from 1 to 3 p.m. Next date is Nov. 20. See www.waynecountypa.gov/169/Food-Pantry-Program for more information.
How to Help.
Consider donating cash or non-perishable food items to area food banks or the following local food drives.
• The Hancock Rotary Club and Strength Brokerage will sponsor a food drive for the Loaves & Fishes Food Bank until November 26. Fill a paper or plastic bag with non-perishable food items and drop it off at Strength Brokerage located at 66 W. Front Street, Hancock. A $5 donation will be made for each bag of food. Food sell by dates apply. For more information contact Leonard E. Sienko, Jr., Esq. at 607-637-5400.
• A Thanksgiving Food Drive sponsored by NBT Bank of Hancock will be held November 3 through 14. Drop off food at NBT bank. All donations will be given to the Hancock Community Loaves & Fishes Food Pantry. Most needed items include applesauce, yams, pineapple, corn, green beans, stuffing, coffee and tea. Please no expired food.
• Delaware County DSS is hosting a food drive for canned goods and other non-perishable food items. Bring donations to the lobby of The Senator Charles D. Cook Office Building at 111 Mian Street, Delhi, NY.
• Wayne County Food Pantry Food Drive sponsored by Wayne Memorial Hospital for the month of November. Drop off non-perishable food items at the Wayne Memorial Hospital lobby at 601Park Street, Honesdale. Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Needed items include canned tuna, Spam, canned vegetables and soups, instant mashed potatoes and pancake mixes (that use water), rice, shelf stable milk, peanut butter, pasta and pasta sauce, stuffing and biscuit mixes, and cereal.)
• The Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) partners with Feeding New York State to donate 50-70,000 pounds of venison from deer harvested during hunting season to those in need. Processing costs for donated deer are covered so that the venison can be distributed to food banks. Any legally harvested, tagged, and reported deer can be dropped off at one of the feeding New York State’s participating deer processors. More information about the program is offered at dec.ny.gov.
*As seen in the Hancock Herald on Wednesday November 12, 2025.