Nonprofit News

The United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley and the Lehigh Valley Community Foundation have launched a $500,000 fundraising campaign to strengthen food access and deliver rapid relief to families in need.

In the Lehigh Valley, 105,000 people rely on SNAP benefits for food assistance. One in four of them is a child. When federal safety nets falter, the charitable food network becomes the community’s last line of defense. It requires collaboration, leadership and shared purpose.

PA Bacon Fest is back this weekend, showcasing over 150 vendors offering up bacon in just about every cuisine you can imagine.

About 400 Allentown families came to The Salvation Army for The Give Back resource event Wednesday, where they received shelf-stable food, daily necessities, and more, just as federal assistance benefits are about to be cut off.

The five-story, 78,500-square-foot facility will replace the Banana Factory as a hub for creativity and learning. The construction is expected to be completed in late 2026.

Wilson Area LINCS Coalition for Families and Youth have secured a $10,000 grant from Thrivent, beating out 155 competitors and taking about half the votes for the finalists.

The Pediatric Cancer Foundation of the Lehigh Valley held groundbreaking ceremonies for its facility expansion on Wednesday in South Whitehall Township.

Now in its fourth year, the awards ceremony recognized excellence across 17 categories, honoring everyone from seasoned entrepreneurs, actors, models, and filmmakers to emerging young talent. It was held at Archer Music Hall in Allentown.

The Nazareth branch of the River Crossing YMCA announced a $9 million renovation project that will begin in April 2026. The project is $1.5 million short of its goal.

Gov. Josh Shapiro's office says without the federal payments for SNAP — the food stamp program — more than $366 million in monthly benefits could be put on hold starting Nov. 1. The federal government shutdown is in its third week.

Among the 2024 Emmy Award nominations were two segments from LehighValleyNews.com's Moon to Mars project and the PBS39 program "Community Conversation: Mideast Crisis His Home.”

New Bethany announced Thursday it will hold its 33rd annual Souper Day at 11 a.m. Sept. 13 in Musikfest Cafe at ArtsQuest Center.

The tastiest race in town returned to Easton's West Ward on Wednesday with the Zucchini 500, which encourages kids and adults to design their own race cars with the gourd while learning about healthy eating.

Valley Youth House announced it received a $1 million gift from the Topper Foundation. The nonprofit agency plans to place the money in its endowment fund to support local programs.

It's the fifth anniversary for the founding of Foxy's Cradle, the North Whitehall neonatal kitten unit, and they're celebrating with food, fun, kittens, and plenty of education.

River Crossing YMCA and Giant celebrated their burgeoning community impact and expanding food programs in Bethlehem on Tuesday afternoon.

The Linny Awards, presented to individuals from the region for longtime commitment and dedication to the arts, will be held later this year in Musikfest Cafe at the ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks.

Digital navigators are individuals trained to help inform, educate, lead others to success.

The 2024 fundraising efforts comes on the heels of the most successful campaign the United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley has ever had. It raised a record-breaking $25 million last year.

Jose Rivera is the new community engagement coordinator at United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley, connecting families with food, education and other resources.

The inaugural Firefighter Appreciation Picnic was held Sunday at Ontelaunee Park in New Tripoli. It was hosted by the Northwestern Lehigh Firefighter Foundation.

On July 1, the YMCA of Bucks and Hunterdon counties will merge with the Greater Valley YMCA in Pen Argyl to form the River Crossing YMCA.