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.

Community members came together on Feb. 21 to rally in support of Lisa Campbell, the former associate director of the Easton Area Community Center, and contest her firing.

Science center officials are not offering tours to many, but they threw open the Da Vinci Center’s doors Tuesday for school district officials — and LehighValleyNews.com.

Local business panel, networking strategies, discounts on art and more — it takes place from 5-7 p.m. Thursday at Asante African Art in Palmer Park Mall.

Katarah A. Jordan has been named the new Chief Executive Officer of the Boys & Girls Club of Allentown. She succeeds Deb Fries Jackson, who is retiring after 40 years of service with Girls Club of Allentown and the Boys & Girls Club of Allentown.

Parkland School District Social Worker Diane Irish has begun hosting office hours for the Parkland REACH Village, a gathering space and community hub of information for anyone who lives in the district.

With an inconclusive prediction, Sunday's Super Bowl is up in the air — according to the Lehigh Valley Zoo's otters. The zoo in Lehigh County hosted its Otter Bowl XIII, which drew hundreds of spectators Saturday.

In lieu of fighting a lengthy legal battle, North Whitehall kitten rescue Foxy's Cradle is restructuring by spreading their services among volunteers and using a repurposed RV as a home base.

The annual winter arts festival will include a photo contest, vendors, and food trucks. Organizers are still seeking artists and vendors to take part.

Musikfest will have a new music conference in its lineup for this year.

Marci Lesko will become the next chief executive officer of the United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley, it was announced on Monday. Currently serving as the organization’s chief operating officer, Lesko will succeed President David Lewis, effective June 3. Lewis is retiring after 36 years with United Way.

Nonprofit groups are allowed to apply for $10,000 to $50,000 in funding. But the applicant doesn't necessarily have to be a nonprofit, it just needs to serve the city, officials said.

Michael Keim was elected Monday as chairman of the board of directors of Lehigh Valley Public Media. Keim is president of Univest Bank and Trust and chief operating officer of Univest Financial Corp.