An emergency food drive to assist Allentown School District families during the government shutdown and SNAP benefit disruption is running now through Nov. 14 with both non-perishables and monetary donations accepted.
More than 91% of Allentown School District’s 16,300 students face economic hardship and nearly 98% qualify for free or reduced-price meals. The district aims to collect 20,000 nonperishable items, with donations accepted at any school building or the district administration center.
Monetary donations can be given through the Allentown School District’s Foundation’s donation page at tinyurl.com/ASDEmergencyFoodDrive.
The most needed items are:
canned soups and stews (pull-tops preferred)
canned vegetables and fruits
peanut butter and jelly
pasta, rice and cereal
personal care items: shampoo, bar soap, toothpaste
baby formula and diapers
“These are our families, our neighbors, our students — and they deserve to know their community is here to support them,” Patti Bruno, executive director of the Allentown School District Foundation said in a news release.
The Second Harvest Food Bank and United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley are supporting the emergency food drive.