RELATED: When Washington shuts down, hunger rises. Let's respond together, Lehigh Valley
ALLENTOWN, Pa. — Two Lehigh Valley organizations are joining forces to address the dearth of food access to those in need throughout the region.
The United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley and the Lehigh Valley Community Foundation have launched what is called a Critical Support Fund.
A $500,000 fundraising goal has been set to strengthen food access and deliver rapid relief to families in need.
The Critical Support Fund will provide rapid relief to nonprofit food providers to help keep shelves stocked and distribute food where it is needed most.The Critical Support Fund organizers
The Critical Support Fund will provide rapid relief to nonprofit food providers to help keep shelves stocked and distribute food where it is needed most, organizers said.
With more than 40% of Lehigh Valley residents living paycheck-to-paycheck and government funding pauses to programs such as SNAP, food insecurity is rising, they said.
More than 106,000 people receive SNAP benefits in Lehigh, Northampton and Carbon counties.
Many of the region's social service providers also are struggling to keep up with the need and have not been able to access funding that typically supports food access programs, officials said.
‘It belongs to all of us’
Funds will be distributed for immediate relief, working in partnership with an action group of local food providers who are co-leading this response strategy.
“This is what community looks like in action,” Lehigh Valley Community Foundation President Erika Riddle Petrozelli said.
“This will allow us to act now, to make sure food pantries are stocked and our neighbors have access to the nourishment they need."Erika Riddle Petrozelli, president and CEO, Lehigh Valley Community Foundation.
“This will allow us to act now, to make sure food pantries are stocked and our neighbors have access to the nourishment they need.
"This effort is also a powerful example of what can happen when funders, nonprofit leaders and donors come together with urgency and purpose at this critical moment.”
Other initial funding partners include Dexter F. & Dorothy H. Baker Foundation, Capital Blue Cross, Cornerstone Advisors Asset Management and First Commonwealth Federal Credit Union.
Also, the Garrigan Foundation, Just Born Quality Confections, LeCompte Realty, Stephen Link and Family Fund, the Marcon Family Fund and The Martin Guitar Charitable Foundation.
Also, Dan and Lucinda McCarthy, Olympus Corporation of the Americas, PPL Foundation, Teamsters Local 773, Andrea and Angelo Valletta and Valley National Financial Advisors.
