A Message from Friendship House
As spring arrives in Delaware, we want to share updates on our programs, community impact, and what lies ahead for the rest of 2026. Thank you to everyone who has volunteered, donated goods, and supported our mission over the past few months.
By the Numbers: Winter 2025–2026 Season
This winter was one of the busiest on record for our community programs. Here is a snapshot of what the Friendship House network accomplished between December 2025 and March 2026:
- Clothing Bank of Delaware: 847 individuals served, including 312 children. Winter coat drive collected over 1,200 coats from 14 collection sites across New Castle County.
- Newark Empowerment Center: Average of 45 daily visitors. 23 individuals connected with transitional housing placements through case management referrals.
- Community meals: Over 6,400 meals served across all program locations during the winter months.
- Volunteer hours: 1,890 hours contributed by 134 unique volunteers.
Program Updates
Clothing Bank: Extended Hours Through April
Due to continued demand, the Clothing Bank of Delaware will maintain extended operating hours through the end of April. Spring and summer clothing donations are especially needed as families transition out of winter gear. Business-appropriate attire remains the single most requested category—suits, dress shirts, blouses, and closed-toe shoes for job interviews and new employment.
Newark Empowerment Center: New Computer Lab
Thanks to a generous equipment donation from a local technology company, the Newark Empowerment Center now has a four-station computer lab available to clients. The stations include internet access, word processing software, and printing capability—essential tools for job searching, benefit applications, and housing paperwork.
Community Partnerships
We are grateful to our growing network of affiliated faith communities who continue to provide volunteers, meal supplies, and collection sites for clothing drives. This spring, three new congregations have joined the partnership.
Looking Ahead: Summer 2026
Several initiatives are in development for the summer months:
- Back-to-school clothing drive (July–August): Focused collection of children’s clothing, backpacks, and school supplies
- Employment readiness workshops: Monthly sessions at the Newark Empowerment Center covering resume writing, interview skills, and workplace expectations
- Expanded volunteer orientation: New streamlined onboarding process to welcome more community volunteers
Get Involved This Spring
There are many ways to support our work:
- Volunteer at the Clothing Bank, Newark Empowerment Center, or at community meal service
- Donate gently used clothing, especially spring/summer items and business attire
- Share our resource pages with anyone who might need them—sometimes the most impactful thing you can do is help someone find the right information
Thank you for being part of the Friendship House community. Your time, your generosity, and your commitment to our neighbors in need make this work possible.
