Relying on the community<\/p>\n
Inside the ceiling-high shelves at Second Harvest Food Bank of the Lehigh Valley and Northeast Pennsylvania, in East Allentown Township, a large portion of the normally stocked shelves remain bare. <\/p>\n
The food bank, which serves six Pennsylvania counties \u2014 including Carbon, Lehigh and Northampton \u2014 provides food to about 110,000 people each month. <\/p>\n
“It’s a triple scenario where the food bank is facing astronomical gaps in service because we’re not getting those funding streams through to purchase food.” <\/p>\n
Second Harvest Community Services Manager Nicole Folino<\/p>\n
Because of the state’s budget stalemate \u2014 as well as federal funding cuts and a budget impasse \u2014 the food bank could be left without food to distribute, officials said. <\/p>\n
“It’s a triple scenario where the food bank is facing astronomical gaps in service because we’re not getting those funding streams through to purchase food,” Second Harvest Community Services Manager Nicole Folino said. <\/p>\n
“We’re really relying on the community right now to donate as much food and dollars as they can so we can fill that gap as we wait to see what happens to the funding.” <\/p>\n
![\"Hispanic](\"https:\/\/static.lehigh-v.lehigh-valley.production.k1.m1.brightspot.cloud\/dims4\/default\/5674955\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/5712x3212+0+0\/resize\/880x495!\/quality\/90\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Flehigh-valley-brightspot.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com%2F95%2F90%2F72605a81455da76a7d23fec7ba9f%2Fimg-7174.jpeg\")
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Micaela Hood <\/p>\n
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LehighValleyNews.com<\/p>\n
Fran Ambrosini is a volunteer at the Hispanic Center Lehigh Valley and helps sort donations and package them for residents in need. <\/p>\n
How we got here<\/p>\n
In early October, federal officials warned states of a potential interruption<\/a> in SNAP benefits \u2014 the first lapse in the program\u2019s 60-year history.<\/p>\n On Monday, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro joined a multi-state lawsuit urging President Donald Trump\u2019s administration to use reserve funds to keep the program running during the shutdown.<\/p>\n The lawsuit, filed by several Democratic-led states, argues that the U.S. Agriculture Department is withholding more than $5 billion in reserves that could temporarily sustain SNAP payments.<\/p>\n The Agriculture Department has said it does not have the funds to provide the monthly food assistance expected on Saturday, Nov. 1, which would go to 2 million people in Pennsylvania, 800,000 in New Jersey and 100,000 in Delaware.<\/p>\n On Friday, two federal judges ruled that the Trump administration must tap into billions of dollars in emergency funds to at least partially cover SNAP benefits in November. <\/p>\n According to NPR.org,<\/a>the administration has until “no later than Monday” to consider where to pay at least partial SNAP food benefits to 42 million Americans. <\/p>\n U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani in Boston acknowledged this will leave millions of people without assistance starting Saturday.<\/p>\n ‘Second line of defense’<\/p>\n Second Harvest Food Bank is among those who distribute food to the Hispanic Center of Lehigh Valley, or HCLV, in Bethlehem. <\/p>\n Days before the expected pause of SNAP Benefits, HCLV Executive Director Raymond Santigao reported an immediate uptick in requests.<\/p>\n \u201cYesterday, our food pantry came in to 40 voicemails,” Santiago said. <\/p>\n The food pantry at 520 E. 4th St., encourages residents to schedule an appointment to pick up groceries, including canned goods, produce and other essential items.<\/p>\n “Donations of rice, beans, pasta, soup, and canned proteins are especially critical, especially in the winter months, providing families with sustenance and stability.”<\/p>\n Nicole Folino, Community Manager, Second Harvest Food Bank of Lehigh Valley <\/p>\n With SNAP benefits delayed, families are turning directly to pantries for essential meals, including Thanksgiving staples such as turkeys, stuffing and gravy. <\/p>\n With Thanksgiving less than a month away, and through partnerships with organizations such as New Bethany and local supermarkets, the Hispanic Center said it will distribute more than 100 turkeys to families in need, with vouchers for fair distribution.<\/p>\n Both Second Harvest and the Hispanic Center emphasize the importance of community support. <\/p>\n Folino said families often make difficult trade-offs among food, rent and medication when funding is delayed. <\/p>\n \u201cIf SNAP doesn\u2019t go out, the food bank becomes the second line of defense,\u201d she said. <\/p>\n “Donations of rice, beans, pasta, soup and canned proteins are especially critical, especially in the winter months, providing families with sustenance and stability.” <\/p>\n The most requested items at the food bank are: rice, canned protein (chicken, beef stew, tuna), peanut butter, boxed cereal, jams and jellies, crackers, canned chili, tomato sauce (no glass jars), pasta, macaroni and cheese, canned beans (black, red, and pinto) and canned fruits and vegetables.<\/p>\n Micaela Hood <\/p>\n \/<\/p>\n LehighValleyNews.com<\/p>\n Canned food donated by Second Harvest Food Bank of Lehigh Valley are neatly stacked at the Hispanic Center Lehigh Valley. <\/p>\n Volunteer, make a donation<\/p>\n Volunteering is another key way the public can help. <\/p>\n Second Harvest, which had nearly 1,000 volunteers last year, now seeks additional help to package food boxes at its East Allen Township warehouse.<\/p>\n It’s a task typically completed during three-to four-hour shifts.<\/p>\n According to Folino, volunteers play a crucial role in ensuring food is distributed efficiently from warehouses to local pantries.<\/p>\n “Every bit of help counts.”<\/p>\n Fran Ambrosini, a volunteer at the Hispanic Center’s food pantry<\/p>\n Every food box\/donation, Folino said, is quickly distributed to the pantry network, which spans six counties and includes roughly 160 pantries. <\/p>\n On Monday, Fran Ambrosini, a volunteer at the Hispanic Center’s food pantry for the past three years, happily sorted food into major groups \u2014 grains, vegetables, proteins, and mixed dishes.<\/p>\n She prioritized staples that are shelf-stable and easy for families to prepare. <\/p>\n She credited the staff at the Hispanic Center \u2014 and the donors \u2014 for helping hundreds of families in need. <\/p>\n Still, Ambrosini said, there’s more that could be done. <\/p>\n “Every bit of help counts,” Ambrosini said. <\/p>\n “Whether it’s a food donation or an hour of your time, the community coming together is what allows us to support our neighbors during this uncertain time.”<\/p>\n To learn more about volunteering and donating goods to Second Harvest Food Bank, visit their donation and volunteer page.<\/a><\/p>\n![\"Food](\"https:\/\/static.lehigh-v.lehigh-valley.production.k1.m1.brightspot.cloud\/dims4\/default\/10f9624\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/4284x2410+0+0\/resize\/880x495!\/quality\/90\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Flehigh-valley-brightspot.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com%2F8b%2Fb2%2Fbb25e1f0498c923a727dc80aa194%2Fimg-7176.jpeg\")
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