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.

Dozens of troops arrived at the area's largest distribution site at Dorney Park before selling begins on Jan. 19. The cookie sale fundraiser is a key source of financial support for Girl Scout troop activities.

Celebrations are set to take place throughout the Lehigh Valley while volunteer efforts focus on forming an ongoing connection with the community.

"My daughter is on the Lehigh Valley Polar Bears ice hockey team," the Facebook post said. "Once a year they have a big fundraiser where the parents need to donate a basket... would anyone be willing to donate?" Within days, the post had more than 200 responses.

Leaders from St. John's Windish Evangelical Lutheran Church said the authority's action threatened the churches' futures. Now, the parking authority says it won't pursue eminent domain.

A look into local farms that grow for or donate to local food pantries and how they further their missions of feeding people, regardless of if they can pay.

Third generation Lehigh Valley resident Ashley Coleman will lead the Bradbury-Sullivan Center as it expands its programming over the next few years.

The perennial treat is arriving soon to the Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania, which includes Lehigh and Northampton counties.

The grant was originally announced in September, but budget complications delayed the delivery of the money to New Bethany Ministries homeless shelter in Bethlehem.

The Smart Loading Zone program is expected to make more space for deliveries and a higher turnover of short-term parking.

Bradbury-Sullivan will host its first-ever "First Saturdays" this weekend, as part of an effort to expand its reach to families.

Sen. Bob Casey's office has planned a news conference for Friday, highlighting "millions" for the Bethlehem shelter — without saying an exact dollar amount yet.

The Ice Rink at SteelStacks, sponsored by Lehigh Valley Reilly Children’s Hospital, had a healthy first season in 2022.