Westside Family Healthcare in Dover gifted new food pantry by LCD 2026 class
Local community members and the 2026 class of Leadership Central Delaware attend a ribbon-cutting for Westside Family Healthcare’s new fridges and pantry on Thursday, donated by ChristianaCare and the LCD class, respectively.
SUBMITTED PHOTO/HEATHER CREGAR
Posted Monday, May 25, 2026 5:00 am
By Kaitlyn Cupelli
DOVER — “What you see here today is more than just a cabinet, shelves and two refrigerators: it represents a journey of ideas becoming action and collaboration turning into impact.”
Those words were spoken by Adin Lewis, a member of the Central Delaware Chamber of Commerce’s 2026 Leadership Central Delaware class. For the group’s class project, they gifted a food pantry to Westside Family Healthcare in Dover. ChristianaCare also donated two fridges.
The class raised over $5,000 toward the project and donated more than 650 food items for those in the capital city who may be food insecure.
Lewis added he hopes the project continues to serve not just as a resource, but as a symbol of community and compassion.
“More than anything, though, this project represents what’s possible when people commit to something bigger than themselves. It’s proof that when we listen, work together and take action, we can create something meaningful and lasting,” he said.
Westside Family Healthcare, located on Forrest Avenue, opened its first fridge outside of its building in October 2022.
“Since then, this space has become a 24/7 stigma-free resource that community members can come to and utilize, take what they need and leave what they can,” stated Westside’s executive director, Chris Fraser, during a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday, May 21. “It’s become a meaningful source of support for so many individuals and families who are experiencing food insecurity.”
Fraser also applauded the expansion that officially opened on Thursday, stating that it would not have been possible without the LCD class. In addition to the class’ help, Fifer’s donated food and does so weekly.
“This project is a reminder of what’s possible when healthcare organizations, businesses, volunteers, community leaders and neighbors come together with a shared goal to care for one another,” he noted.
President of the Central Delaware Chamber of Commerce Dina Vendetti commended the class as well.
“They came to us as emerging leaders and they’re leaving our program in a month or so as leaders in their own right,” she said. “They’ve done an incredible thing here today.”
Feeding America estimates that 134,320 Delawareans are facing hunger, or 1 in 8 individuals. One in 6 children are food insecure.
In 2023, the group found that Kent County had the highest rate of food insecurity of Delaware’s three counties, at 14.6%.
To find out more about Westside and the work they do, visit westsidehealth.org.
