"WHAT CAN I DO TO HELP?" Emergency pantries work hard to provide households nutritious, adequate food, particularly for people who have medical needs. Most pantries and free meal centers are completely or mostly managed by VOLUNTEERS. These volunteers must follow safety guidelines, physical/social distancing and food safety management. Many will not be able to volunteer at this time. IF YOU CAN VOLUNTEER: Please go to the Volunteer Center of the Lehigh Valley's website www.volunteerlv.org and sign up to help. If you are an agency who needs volunteers go to www.volunteerlv.org/organization-sign-up to provide information on what you need. This agency is the Lehigh Valley's designated VOAD (emergency response volunteer team) site.
IF YOU CAN DONATE MONEY : Second Harvest Food Bank is our regional food bank which provides most of the food for our local pantries, donate at www.SHFBLV.org or choose a local pantry and donate directly to them.
OTHER IDEAS:Focus on your own neighborhood. Who is in need? Have you asked everyone if they need food or any other help? If you have the ability to help those closest to you geographically, then please do so.
If you know families who are out of food please give them the emergency phone numbers from our NEWS page where they are updated as we receive them or tell them to call 211
Share food with families who you know are in need: buy gift cards for take-out food from the Easton restaurants that are serving (go to supporteaston.com for a list).