BETHLEHEM, PA. – A cafe in Northampton County is on a mission to reduce food insecurity in the Lehigh Valley.<\/p>\n
Essentials Cafe in Bethlehem is a non-profit, pay-what-you-can community cafe, hoping to serve up more than just food.<\/p>\n
“We came up with the name ‘Essentials Cafe’, because what is essential in life, right?” said Dana Fenner, Executive Director of Essentials Cafe. “Food is essential.”<\/p>\n
The cafe is nestled on the 400 block of Third Avenue in Bethlehem, in a house that Fenner said is the former parsonage of the West Side Moravian Church.<\/p>\n
Squashing food insecurity is one goal and the other, to create a warm, welcoming space that feels like home.<\/p>\n
“People are essential, community is essential, and love is essential,” said Fenner. “Sometimes we’re hungry for community, for someone to talk to.”<\/p>\n
Bethlehem resident Vunguyen said he visits almost every day.<\/p>\n
“It’s good for the people, so they get food each day, and so they be healthy,” said Vunguyen.<\/p>\n
Volunteer Sharon Friedman grabbed a table with her family.<\/p>\n
“This is my brother’s first time here, and he liked the meal,” said Freidman. “[We’re] providing a smile with somebody that might be having a bad day and helping out Fenner with something she’s so passionate about. She eats, drinks, and sleeps the cafe.”<\/p>\n
“We have about 4,700 hours a year in volunteer time,” said Fenner. “We have people, neighbors, people from all walks of life who help us. The cafe is run mostly on volunteers. Our food is 98% made from scratch. We have our own gardens out back, and we just think it’s a beautiful community.”<\/p>\n