Welcome to the September Newsletter! As the leaves begin to turn and the days grow a little shorter, we step into the season of crisp apples, hearty squashes, and vibrant root vegetables. We’re cooking up meals that nourish not just the body, but fill the heart! In the month of August, our meal magicians received $9,958 worth of donations of produce, protein and boxed items, which they in turn processed and supplemented into $22,857 worth of donations, bringing our grand total to 4,020 delicious and nutritious meals delivered to neighbors in need. Thank you to all of our donors, volunteers and partners, we’re endlessly grateful for your kindness and commitment. Together, we are making this season a little warmer for those who need it most.

Carried by the Wind
of Community Generosity

Tharros Village is a low-barrier, self-governed community along Coastal Highway in Lewes that offers unsheltered people in the Cape Region of Sussex County a safe place to stay, rest and rebuild. When wind from Hurricane Erin swept through the area, bringing dangerous conditions for Tharros Village tents, they found themselves in urgent need of a safe indoor space to continue caring for their 28 resident guests. 

Without hesitation, the team at Schell Brothers opened the doors to their employee gym and gave them exactly what they needed: safety, shelter and a sense of calm in the middle of a storm.

Continue reading Mike Agnew’s Letter to the Editor on CapeGazette.com about the power of community coming together to protect its most vulnerable.

Tharros Village exists to provide an organized, supportive, and self-governed space for individuals experiencing homelessness. They promote dignity, stability, and community by offering seasonal shelter and direct pathways to housing, employment, and wellness services.
Visit their website to learn more.

Spouting the Truth About Wind Power

In late 2024, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management approved the construction and operations plan for US Wind’s proposed offshore wind farm due east of Ocean City, MD. A recent court ruling in a lawsuit challenging the approval, granted an extension to the federal government to respond in the case, indicating that the approval of the project is being reconsidered. And this local example is not the only project facing new hurdles, many other wind farming projects have had their funding challenged as well. The latest of which was announced last Friday when Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced that $679 million in federal funding has been withdrawn for 12 offshore wind projects, including three in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut in yet another step by this administration against renewable energy sources.

The Trump administration has ramped up its crusade against wind specifically, as well as other renewable energy sources in recent weeks, cutting federal funding and canceling projects previously approved by the Biden administration that scientists say are crucial to the fight against climate change. CA Rep. Jared Huffman, the top Democrat on the House Natural Resources Committee, said in an interview that Trump & his Cabinet “have a stubborn and mystifying hatred of clean energy.” Well, I certainly wouldn’t want anyone to be mystified…

So let’s dispel some myths!

“Wind energy is unreliable because the wind doesn’t always blow.”

Yes, wind is intermittent, but that doesn’t mean it’s unreliable. Today’s energy grids are designed to handle many variable sources, including wind and solar, through a combination of grid diversification, energy storage, forecasting, and load management. In many places wind has already proven to be reliable. In 2023, wind provided over 10% of total U.S. electricity, and in states like Iowa and Kansas, wind now accounts for over 50% of power generation without compromising grid stability. Huge advances in battery storage have ensured that energy from windy periods can be stored and used when demand is high. 
 “Offshore wind doesn’t create enough jobs to justify the cost.”

Offshore wind is one of the fastest-growing sources of clean energy jobs worldwide. Building and maintaining offshore wind farms requires a wide range of skilled workers from welders and engineers to electricians, marine biologists, and so many more. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, offshore wind could support up to 77,000 American jobs by 2030. Offshore wind represents not just clean energy but a chance for coastal communities to rebuild their working-class economies with sustainable, long-term employment.

“Offshore wind turbines are killing whales and harming marine life.”

Despite widespread misinformation, there is no scientific evidence linking offshore wind development to whale deaths. Multiple studies and statements from marine scientists confirm that recent whale strandings and deaths are primarily caused by vessel strikes and entanglement in fishing gear, not wind energy activity. Responsibly developed offshore wind will ultimately help protect marine ecosystems, because reliance on fossil fuels is warming our planet, and warmer oceans and disrupted food chains caused by rising temperatures endanger countless marine species….and you know, everybody else on the planet too. 

Despite growing misinformation and challenges ahead, the science is clear: responsibly developed offshore wind is safe for marine life, reliable for the power grid, and essential for reducing our dependence on fossil fuels. As public debate around wind energy intensifies, it’s more important than ever to stay informed with facts, not fear. Understanding the real benefits of offshore wind allows us to support smart climate solutions that protect both people and the planet.

Read more at Top 10 Things You Didn’t Know About Offshore Wind Energyfrom the U.S. Dept of Energy