Emergency Food and Hygiene
Food insecurity is a significant barrier to health for Delawareans, particularly those living with HIV.
Food Insecurity Program
Research consistently shows a strong link between food security and positive HIV outcomes.
Research shows that adverse HIV outcomes were higher among individuals who experienced hunger or food insecurity, including not retaining care, missing HIV care appointments, missing antiretroviral therapy doses, and having lower viral suppression.
2020:
Delawareans faced hunger
children
of the population
Source: Feeding America
2023:
average of individuals living with HIV who went without food
was the highest percentage in the Philadelphia region
Source: CDC’s Medical Monitoring Project (2024)
The Delaware HIV Consortium’s Emergency Food and Hygiene Program is designed to ensure that Delawareans living with HIV have access to essential resources throughout the entire state.
These locations are chosen strategically to be near major transit hubs, making them accessible to clients across the state. For those who cannot easily travel to these offices due to transportation issues or other barriers, our HIV case managers deliver food and hygiene products directly to clients’ homes, ensuring no one is left without support.
In response to the emerging needs of Delawareans living with HIV, we have operated a hygiene closet since 2014 to provide staple cosmetic and hygiene items at no cost to clients experiencing financial stress or generally low income. In 2022, the Delaware HIV Consortium significantly expanded this initiative by partnering with the Food Bank of Delaware (FBD) as a Hunger Relief Partner. This partnership enabled us to offer nonperishable food to Delawareans living with HIV who are experiencing food insecurity.