More than 75 donors have contributed over $600,000 to a regional emergency fund designed to help families facing rising food insecurity, organizers announced Tuesday.
United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley and the Lehigh Valley Community Foundation launched the Critical Support Fund on Oct. 30 to address growing needs for food and emergency services.
The donations have already been used to purchase bulk food orders and support more than 100 food pantries across Carbon, Lehigh, Northampton and Monroe counties.
“When people in our community need help, the Greater Lehigh Valley shows up,” said Marci Lesko, president and chief executive officer of United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley. “Your resources have been put into action immediately to get food on pantry shelves and kitchen tables all across Lehigh, Northampton, Carbon and even Monroe counties.”
The organizations held a news conference Tuesday with Community Action Lehigh Valley and Second Harvest Food Bank of the Lehigh Valley and Northeastern Pennsylvania to detail how the funds are being used.
Bulk orders of produce, dry goods, rice, beans and other shelf-stable items have been placed through Second Harvest Food Bank for distribution. Additional orders of beef, turkey and chicken have been secured through local farmers and regional suppliers to meet the need for proteins.
Dawn Godshall, chief executive officer of Community Action Lehigh Valley, said families across the region are experiencing increased food insecurity due to reductions in SNAP benefits and other emergency issues.
“This collaborative effort ensures that we can respond swiftly and compassionately,” Godshall said. “Together, we are providing a lifeline for our neighbors and reaffirming our shared commitment to a community where everyone has access to the basic resources they need to thrive.”
Partners are coordinating efforts through pantry network meetings with Second Harvest, connecting volunteer needs through the Volunteer Center of the Lehigh Valley and providing training sessions with Valley Health Partners to help pantry staff support residents who receive SNAP benefits.
Erika Riddle Petrozelli, president and CEO of the Lehigh Valley Community Foundation, said the fund demonstrates regional collaboration.
“Thanks to the remarkable generosity of our donors and the dedication of our food provider network, the Critical Support Fund is delivering rapid relief to families across the region,” Petrozelli said.
The fund was created to meet immediate needs, beginning with food, while remaining flexible to provide other emergency and crisis supports as they arise. Future allocations may include baby and mother essentials, energy assistance, emergency shelter and winter warming stations.
For more information about the Critical Support Fund, contact Erin Connelly at United Way at erinco@unitedwayglv.org or Erika Riddle Petrozelli at erika@lvcfoundation.org at the Lehigh Valley Community Foundation.
Generative AI was used to draft this story based on information provided by United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley and the Lehigh Valley Community Foundation. It was reviewed and edited by lehighvalleylive.com.
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