BETHLEHEM, Pa.- Transformation is nothing new for Community Action Lehigh Valley (CALV).

The anti-poverty non-profit has had to reinvent itself a number of times amid both economic growth and contraction since its creation in 1965.

Now the group finds itself in another time of transition. It was the theme of CALV’s annual meeting, held Wednesday at the Wind Creek Event Center in Bethlehem. 

“A state impasse and federal government shutdown threw a government monkey wrench our way. And even though the government will open back up, we don’t anticipate anything will go back to normal immediately,” said CALV Executive Director Dawn Godshall in her opening remarks. “As more safety net programs are being eliminated, we now need to figure out how to do more with less.”

Regardless of the happenings in Harrisburg and Washington, D.C, the new “normal” has been shifting since the Covid-19 pandemic. “Needs have not gone back to pre-pandemic levels,” Godshall said. One example is the strain on the Second Harvest Food Bank, which serves families in six counties. Pre-pandemic, the food bank was feeding about 65,000 people a month. That number has since swelled to 124,000. This year alone, Second Harvest has distributed 15.8 million pounds of food to date.

That growing need, coupled with a drop in government funding, prompted CALV earlier this year to cut its own staff to align with its budget. Godshall told 69 News the non-profit may also have to scale back some of its programs.

CALV reported revenue of about $20 million for its 2024 / 2025 year, and expenses of $22.6 million. The agency cited a substantial increase in food costs and the expiration of Covid relief funds as two of the factors resulting in its more precarious financial situation. CALV said it’s using surplus funds from previous years while it waits for new revenue to come in.

The CALV umbrella extends to several community services; in addition to running Second Harvest, the group also manages Allentown’s Sixth Street Shelter, as well as programs for home weatherization, home repairs, emergency rental assistance, and college readiness, among others. Currently, both the home repair and emergency rental assistance programs are on hold because CALV’s resources have dried up amid high demand.

United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley CEO Marci Lesko was the event’s keynote speaker and delivered a call to action to the audience. “Now is not the time to hold back. If you were wondering about a rainy day, it’s pouring,” she said.

Lesko said United Way would increase its contribution to CALV. She implored the crowd to do the same. “Now is the time to deeply invest in this organization,” she said. “They and other nonprofits like them are experiencing more changes than we have ever seen before.”

The Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce is also answering that call. President and CEO Tony Iannelli, the final speaker of the event, announced to the crowd that Second Harvest Food Bank will be the charity recipient of the chamber’s Snow Ball black-tie gala fundraiser next year.

“Tony reminds us of how collaboration and vision can truly transform our region,” Godshall said. “That spirit of partnership is at the heart of everything we do at Community Action.”