Lunch With a Purpose/Coastal Delaware held its first event of 2024 Jan. 10 at the Atlantic Sands in Rehoboth Beach, hosted by Higher Ground Outreach Inc.

The luncheon was opened by Director Cheryl Mitchell, who brought attendees up to date on the activities of two previous luncheon hosts. Run Saniyah Run loaded up its vehicles with the in-kind donations from the December lunch and paid a visit to the Howard T. Ennis School in Georgetown, delivering sensory toys, art supplies and clothing. The children were very appreciative and very excited to receive the new items at holiday time. The October 2023 lunch host, Fostering Wishes, thanked Lunch With a Purpose/Coastal Delaware and the supporting communities for its most successful holiday gift drive ever to deliver gifts to Delaware children in foster care.

Higher Ground Outreach Director Lou Hernandez, along with spouse and co-founder April Morehouse, spoke about the outreach work and activities at the Higher Ground House in Georgetown. The day center provides food, clothing, shower facilities, programs and help to the homeless in Sussex County. Since November 2022, over $115,000 worth of goods and services have been donated and distributed to individuals in the homeless community.

Although the house is primarily a day center for homeless services, it was opened during the severe storms of Jan. 9, and 30 people came for shelter and safety at night. Also, representatives from Higher Ground Outreach took propane and blankets to the homeless who chose to remain in their tents in the woods instead of seeking indoor shelter. To find out how to help,  go to highergroundoutreachinc.org.

The luncheon raised $8,375 cash and $2,550 in in-kind donations. Donations of items to the Food Bank of Delaware totaled 738 pounds.

Rehoboth Art League will be the beneficiary of the Lunch With a Purpose event Wednesday, Feb. 7, at the Clubhouse at Baywood. 

For more information, find Lunch With a Purpose/Coastal Delaware on Facebook.

Beginning in February, applications will be accepted for sponsors and nonprofit beneficiaries for the Lunch With a Purpose 2024-25 season, with events beginning in September. To request information, organizations may contact Ruth Pryor at 302-231-8186 or rfcpryor@gmail.com.