With SNAP food benefits delayed and an increasing number of federal workers going without paychecks, the need for help is rising — and the Lehigh Valley is stepping up.

Here’s a list of places that are collecting donations or offering free food to those impacted by the ongoing government shutdown.

Give help

Easton City Council Member Crystal Rose will hold a food drive 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 8 at the Easton Farmers Market at Scott Park in Easton. A collection tent near the Larry Holmes statue will accept donations such as fresh produce, nonperishable foods and grocery store gift cards. Residents can also purchase market tokens that will go toward those in need.

Mercatino Italiano, 220 N. West End Blvd., Richland Township, is letting customers purchase “Feed a Neighbor” vouchers. Priced at $10, $20 and $25, the popular Italian market will use the money from those vouchers to provide free or discounted meals for people impacted by the SNAP benefits expiration or government shutdown.

To support the Quakertown Food Pantry, a truck will also collect non-perishable foods 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 15 in front of the market.

Belleville Market will host a food drive from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 8 at 20 S. Third St. in Easton. Donations of nonperishable food will go to the nonprofit ProJeCt of Easton’s food pantry at 330 Ferry St. Throughout the rest of the year, customers can also round up their purchases to donate money to the nonprofit.Keystone Running Store is collecting frozen turkeys and nonperishable foods for local food banks for the rest of the year at 1042 Millcreek Road in Lower Macungie Township, co-owner Chris Schmidt said.

It will also host a “Turkey Trot” at 9 a.m. Nov. 16, starting at Macungie Memorial Park in Macungie, where participants can carry a frozen turkey for a mile before donating it.

Anyone who can’t participate in the Trot can drop off donations a week prior at the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Fox & Roach office at 3261 Route 100, Suite 100, in Lower Macungie Township.

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Get help

Karlton Cafe, located at 310 W. Broad St. in Quakertown, started a GoFundMe to help provide free meals to those experiencing food insecurity. It’s offering free meals to those who receive SNAP benefits. Just place your active SNAP card, along with a matching ID, inside the checkbook and checkout.

Need help, or want to donate? Use your ZIP code at findhelp.org for other local food pantry sources such as Allentown Area Ecumenical Food Bank in Allentown and West Bethlehem Food Bank in Bethlehem.

This story will be updated. Send submissions to news@mcall.com.