seed, and if you water it, it will grow, ” Smith said. “ If we come together, we can bridge the disparity gap when it comes to food insecurity. ” The program complements existing food assistance programs that provide nonperishable items, canned goods and meats.
THE DEPUTY ’ S AWARD SGIG Dr. Johnie A. Burton, Jr., 33 O , received the Deputy ’ s Award from SGIG Scott, 33 O , for dedicated commitment and exceptional leadership. Ill Burton was Elevated in Corinthian Consistory #5 Orient of Delaware and later Demitted to CP Houston, Jr. Consistory #119. He served as Illustrious
Commander in Chief of CP Houston, Jr. and serves as Treasurer today. He received his Thirty-Third Degree in Denver Colorado in May 2018 with the David Holliman Class. He was reclassified as a Sovereign Grand Inspector General in May 2022. In addition to serving as ICIC, Ill Burton serves as the Grand Secretary & KSA of the DCOD. Recognizing his leadership record, Deputy Scott designated Ill Burton as Assistant to the Deputy for the Orient of Delaware. SGIG Burton serves the United Supreme Council as a member of the Fund-Raising Sub- Committee. He has also spearheaded a number of special projects for the Deputy of Delaware including assisting with a Commanders of the Right initial Recognition Luncheon. He continues to serve the United Supreme Council and the Orient of Delaware in advancing their programs and initiatives. ORDER OF THE GOLDEN CIRCLE Loyal Lady Lee Robinson of Dover Assembly No. 96 is the coordinator of the Food Pantry at Whatcoat United Methodist Church, in Dover. She ensures that anyone requesting emergency food assistance receives the food. She also coordinates the monthly Drive Thru Food Give Away Program. She is a volunteer for the Harvest Outreach Peoples Project (HOPP) where once a month volunteers from different churches gather at Whatcoat UM Church to sort and pack fresh vegetables to ready them for distribution to their respective communities. A Delaware produce distribution program is reaping what it sows, expanding across counties. The HOPP distributes free fruits and vegetables once a month at 18 sites to anyone in need, serving about 5,000 families. Started in 2022 in New Castle County, The HOPP has grown from five churches to 40 today, plus 29 nonprofit partners and several businesses that donate to the cause and provide volunteers. “ Seeing how far we ’ ve come and where we are now, I ’ m excited about where it ’ s going to go, ” said Travis L. Smith Sr., the executive director. “ This is a vision God has given us, planting a
People can just pick up a bag of fresh produce on the fourth Friday of each month at most sites, while some have Saturday or Sunday pickups or deliver to people who have difficulty leaving home because of disability or illness. The produce is sometimes donated and sometimes bought by The HOPP, usually at a discount, “ One time a farmer gave away 1,000 watermelons. Another gave an entire tractor trailer full of grapes, ” Smith said. Funds for The HOPP have been provided by grants from the Delaware Farmers Council, the Longwood Foundation, churches, organizations and individual donations. Some of those funds are being used to build a warehouse in Wilmington where food can be stored.
Loyal Lady Lee Robinson has served as the coordinator for the Whatcoat food pantry for more than 10 years, and she said the need for assistance is rising. “ Requests have gone up and up, ” Robinson said. “ You see it yourself. When you go to the store, two bags of groceries can cost you over $100. These are very trying times. ” LL Robinson is also a Past Grand Worthy Matron of the Jurisdiction of Delaware.
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