MUHLENBERG TOWNSHIP. Pa.- At the Muhlenberg Community Library, it’s more than books on the shelves this month, it’s boxes of hope.
Library staff and volunteers have kicked off a month-long food drive to support Keystone Military Families, a nonprofit that provides care packages and essential supplies to service members, veterans, and their loved ones across Pennsylvania.
“I thought it would be a cool idea to just have our community bring essential things, like toiletries or anything that’s non-perishable, that we can actually send out in these care packages or for the families that are in need right now,” said Alejandrina “Alex” Levy, adult programmer at Muhlenberg Community Library.
The fundraiser comes at a critical time. With the ongoing government shutdown, many military families are facing delayed paychecks and tighter budgets. Organizers say local efforts like this can help fill the gap when resources run thin.
“Our mission is to make sure those deployed get care packages from home, and to support veterans and military families who are struggling a little bit,” said Kyle Lord, director of Keystone Military Families.
The organization’s food pantry serves hundreds of families every week, a number that continues to grow.
“The need has definitely increased, not just because of the shutdown,” Lord added. “We’ve seen people coming from Fort Indiantown Gap, Harrisburg, Schuylkill County, even Lancaster County.”
At the library, donations are already stacking up, and organizers hope to fill every inch of their table, and then some, before November 3.
“Last year was excellent,” Levy said. “So if this year we can up it a little bit more, that would be great — and I’m sure they would definitely appreciate it.”
Donations can be dropped off during regular library hours at 3612 Kutztown Road, Muhlenberg Township.
For more information, visit KeystoneMilitaryFamilies.org or the library’s Facebook page.