MUHLENBERG TOWNSHIP. Pa.- At the Muhlenberg Community Library, it\u2019s more than books on the shelves this month, it\u2019s boxes of hope.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cI thought it would be a cool idea to just have our community bring essential things, like toiletries or anything that\u2019s non-perishable, that we can actually send out in these care packages or for the families that are in need right now,\u201d said Alejandrina \u201cAlex\u201d Levy, adult programmer at Muhlenberg Community Library.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur 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,\u201d said Kyle Lord, director of Keystone Military Families.<\/p>\n
The organization\u2019s food pantry serves hundreds of families every week, a number that continues to grow.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe need has definitely increased, not just because of the shutdown,\u201d Lord added. \u201cWe\u2019ve seen people coming from Fort Indiantown Gap, Harrisburg, Schuylkill County, even Lancaster County.\u201d<\/p>\n
At the library, donations are already stacking up, and organizers hope to fill every inch of their table, and then some, before November 3.<\/p>\n
\u201cLast year was excellent,\u201d Levy said. \u201cSo if this year we can up it a little bit more, that would be great \u2014 and I\u2019m sure they would definitely appreciate it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Donations can be dropped off during regular library hours at 3612 Kutztown Road, Muhlenberg Township.<\/p>\n