Food Bank, Lt. Gov. Hall-Long Coordinate Infant Formula, Supplies for Hurricane Helene Relief

NEWARK, Del. - On Monday, the Food Bank of Delaware and Lt. Governor Bethany Hall-Long donated infant formula and supplies to support Hurricane Helene relief efforts.

Feeding America, a national network of food banks, meal programs and food pantries, is coordinating disaster relief for impacted areas in the wake of Hurricane Helene's devastation. Monday's donation included bottled water, infant formula and donated meal boxes. The infant formula supply was part of Delaware's free Infant Formula Distribution Program, which launched in response to a national infant formula shortage. During the last year and half, the program has distributed more than 95% of the supply to nonprofits and partners across the state; 1,020 of the remaining 1,200 canisters will be donated to this relief effort to immediately help families in need.

"Through my work as a nurse and with the Delaware Medical Reserve Corps, I know disaster response takes an all-hands-on-deck approach. The First State took action during the national infant formula shortage and now we are taking action to help in the wake of Hurricane Helene. If this shipment helps one family relieve stress, we've done our job. I want to thank the Food Bank of Delaware for their leadership to ensure that no family, and no child, goes without the necessary resources to thrive," said Lt. Governor Bethany Hall-Long, PhD, RN.

The items transported to North Carolina for Hurricane Helene relief include three pallets each of infant formula and donated meal boxes, which include shelf-stable items. In addition, there were 18 pallets of bottled water. 

"At a time like this, we believe in the power of coming together to help those most in need. As we witness the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene, our commitment to support our fellow food banks remains stronger than ever. We're honored to donate supplies and work side by side with our partners in relief efforts, ensuring that no family goes without the food and resources they need to rebuild their lives," said Food Bank of Delaware President and CEO Cathy Kanefsky.

These donation efforts are just another example of how Delaware has stepped up in the wake of this tragedy. Last week, the Delaware Emergency Management Agency (DEMA) and the Delaware State Fire School deployed a Swift Water Rescue Team to North Carolina to support response and recovery efforts following the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene.

More on the Delaware Infant Formula Distribution Program

Last year, Lt. Governor Hall-Long, Donate Delaware, the Food Bank and community and state partners secured 44,000 canisters of Care A2+ infant formula to be provided to parents of children under the age of one throughout the state. The program was expanded last summer to remove the limit on canisters people could receive. The Division of Public Health selected Care A2+ because of the similar ingredients to Similac, a widely used formula brand in the United States.

There are now more than 60 public sites across all three counties that carry the canisters. The program has partnered on special events and directly with nonprofits to reach constituents. To view a full list of public sites, visit the lieutenant governor's website.

The remaining batches of formula will expire in December 2024. If you have questions about formula use, please contact your pediatrician and visit the FDA's website.

Thank you to founding partners: Governor John Carney, Donate Delaware, Highmark Delaware, Bank of America, Genesco Pharma, Delaware Division of Public Health and Food Bank of Delaware.

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