The Riverfront Development Corporation of Delaware (RDC), the state-funded nonprofit, will celebrate its 25th anniversary beginning this month.
Since April 1996, the RDC has overseen the transformation of the Christina Riverfront from an abandoned shipbuilding community to a city within a city.
RDC has spearheaded the construction of the Michael S. Purzycki Riverwalk, Tubman-Garrett Riverfront Park, Hare Pavilion, the Chase Center on the Riverfront, and the DuPont Environmental Education Center participated in the recruitment of numerous businesses, such as AAA Mid-Atlantic, Barclays, and Navient, and cleared the way for the construction of new residential units and attractions, such as the Delaware Children’s Museum, Riverwalk Mini Golf, the Horizon Riverfront Rink and Constitution Yards Beer Garden.
The RDC has recently focused on expanding to the east side of the Christina. With the recent opening of the Senator Margaret Rose Henry Bridge directly connecting the west and east banks of the Christina, a new RDC project will see the redevelopment of the river’s eastern shore, creating a new network of roads, an extension of the Riverwalk, additional green spaces, attractions, businesses, and residences.
“It was my great fortune for twenty years to be part of a team that had a dream and committed itself to seeing the dream come true. Far too many people to recognize and too many to thank but Megan McGlinchey and Mike Hare deserve special mention. What a wonderful ride!” stated Wilmington Mayor Michael Purzycki, who served as the RDC’s first Executive Director.
“The RDC and its board is extremely proud of the progress we have made over the last 25 years to reclaim the Christina Riverfront and to create a place where everyone in and around Wilmington is welcome. We are excited to continue the next phase of development”, said RDC Executive Director, McGlinchey.
To learn more about the Riverfront Development Corporation of Delaware, Riverfront Wilmington, and their current and future projects, visit riverfrontwilm25.com, the new web landing page created to mark the anniversary.
Food Bank turns 40
The Food Bank of Delaware officially turned 40 years old in late March.
The occasion was marked with special remarks from Delaware dignitaries and a drive-thru birthday party to collect food for the Food Bank’s continued Covid-19 relief effort.
The Food Bank’s beginnings can be found at Westminster Presbyterian Church, where Retha Fisher, Director of Community Services, formed a Food Closet Study Committee in 1977 to help improve the church’s hunger-relief efforts. Four years later, Food Conservers, Inc. was established (name later changed to the Food Bank of Delaware) and officially incorporated on March 26, 1981.
“I am very proud to be here today,” said Fisher. “We have come a long way since our beginning. At the time, nobody thought a food bank was needed here in Delaware. Over the years, we have shown why this organization is needed.”
The Food Bank of Delaware is the only facility in Delaware with the equipment, warehouse, and staff to collect donations from all sectors of the food industry and safely and efficiently redistribute them to those who need it most. In addition to its ability to redistribute millions of pounds of food to those who need it most, the organization has evolved since its beginnings.
“While distributing food to those in need is our main mission,” said Board Chairman Andy Larmore, “This organization is so much more. This farm behind me represents the innovation and growth of the Food Bank over the past 40 years. Growing our own foods and training individuals for new careers in food service and warehousing/logistics have become key tenants for achieving our vision of a community free of hunger.”
New Castle County Executive Matt Meyer, Senator David Sokola, First Lady Tracey Quillen Carney, and Senators Tom Carper and Chris Coons were on hand to present tributes in recognition of the Food Bank’s 40 years of service to the community in the outdoor event.
Goodwill of Delaware and Delaware County celebrates 100th
On the same day as Food Bank’s anniversary, Goodwill of Delaware & Delaware County marked its 100th anniversary of its founding. On March 26, Goodwill of Delaware and Delaware County was joined by U.S. Senators Carper and Coons, Gov. John Carney and other elected officials to celebrate 100 years of service to the community. The event was held at its headquarters on Lea Boulevard near Wilmington.
The mission of Goodwill of Delaware and Delaware County has been to improve the quality of life for individuals with barriers to self-sufficiency.
In 2020 alone, Goodwill of Delaware and Delaware County provided more than 15,000 services to individuals and placed more than 700 people into employment throughout the region. Further information is available at www.GoodwillDE.org.
