100,000 pounds of food and counting
Schell Brothers is well known as one of the largest home builders in the Cape Region.
Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Schell employees have quietly developed a massive food distribution effort.
Coordinated by the company’s Project Kudos, the effort has reached more than 2,500 families in towns and housing developments in the Cape Henlopen, Indian River and Seaford school districts, as well as those in need in the Dover area. They have also provided food to Epworth United Methodist Church in Rehoboth Beach, the ACE Center in Georgetown and other food pantries in the area.
Using money from a GoFundMe campaign, they delivered Easter dinner to 240 families in the Cape Henlopen and Indian River school districts.
Project coordinator Alyssa Titus said distributions will kick into high gear with as many as four different sites each week. “This week we’ll hit a high of at least 600 families,” she said.
She said the project got off the ground the first week of the state of emergency. For the first two weeks, Schell Brothers purchased food, but since then, the Harry K. Foundation has underwritten nearly all of the food, with assistance from some private donations.
Titus said there is a huge need for essential nonfood items, such as paper products and toiletries. They are starting to include those items during their distributions, thanks to private donations and contributions from residents in Schell communities. People can make donations at State Farm, 28354 Georgetown-Lewes Highway, Milton; Epworth United Methodist Church, 19285 Holland Glade Road, Rehoboth Beach; and St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, Second Street, Lewes.
Titus said what people don’t see is a warehouse operation staffed by five to six shifts of Schell Brothers employees where food is delivered, sorted and pre-packaged, and boxed.
“We have some champions here at Schell who have really stepped up. We are getting better and better at this,” she said. On May 12 at Seaford Middle School, they provided food to 250 families in just over an hour.
Project Kudos is a company initiative to help spread positive vibes, Titus said. Many people are familiar with the converted Kudos school bus. “This seemed like an important thing to do. We are fortunate to work for a company that is very community-minded and generous,” she said.
Titus said they are committed to continue food distribution until the end of the school year. “Then we'll see where we go from there,” she said.
For more information, go to Project Kudos Facebook page @givekudos.
