Second Harvest Food Bank of the Lehigh Valley and Northeast Pennsylvania

Last night was such a fun evening at the Friday Night Fever Disco to benefit Second Harvest Food Bank. Although the theme was lighthearted, the stark contrast of the reality that the federal budgetary cuts have had a significant impact on these programs was not lost and have created a dire need for support. Second Harvest serves six counties, distributing 16 million pounds of food to 62,000 people annually, including 22,000 seniors. However, budget cuts threaten critical programs like TFAP and SNAP, leaving vulnerable seniors and families without assistance. One of the speakers said that with just $28,000 a year, we could restore aid to 68 seniors who will otherwise be cut from this program. How to you pick which seniors are cut from the list—your parent, you grandparent, your neighbor? These are the people in our community that depend on these programs. This isn’t just about hunger—it’s ALL about community and how we define our own humanity. These cuts have real impacta on our local economy too. Second Harvest supports local farmers with $1.8 million in investments while feeding neighbors in need. Programs like Military Share also ensure that 500 military families don’t go hungry. The message was clear—food insecurity transcends politics. Together, we can address this crisis. Christopher Yarnell, the keynote speaker and founder of Battle Borne, said it best— “Let’s rise together!” #EndHunger #SecondHarves

Today, March 25, a hearing is being held on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to address the impact of current proposals that would cut or weaken the program. This hearing is a critical opportunity to speak out against these proposed cuts and highlight the vital role SNAP plays in reducing hunger, improving health outcomes, and strengthening local communities. SNAP fights hunger in Pennsylvania, helping 2M+ people & bringing $4.2B to the state. With ~11% of households facing food insecurity, we can’t afford cuts. In 2023 alone, it fed 591,000+ kids & pumped $5.1 BILLION into local businesses. Congress, #ProtectSNAP!

Today is National Ag Day! 🧡 Farmers, farmworkers and other food producers are essential partners in the movement to end hunger. Their hard work helps ensure we have safe, nutritious food available across the country—food we all need to thrive. Congress must protect nutrition programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in budget negotiations, so we can have a strong #FarmBill for farmers and people facing hunger! #AgDay25

Final Call: Limited tickets left for Friday Night Fever!🪩 We’re nearing capacity, and registration will be closing soon for Second Harvest Food Bank of the Lehigh Valley and Northeast Pennsylvania's biggest fundraiser of the year. Join us for a night of disco, dining, and dancing as we spin the best hits from the mid-1970s to early 1980s. The event takes place at Musikfest Café in Bethlehem on Friday, April 4, from 6:00 to 10:00 PM. Guests will enjoy drinks, hors d’oeuvres, a delicious dinner, and a lively dance floor. Attendees are encouraged to wear their disco best or classic cocktail attire while supporting our mission to alleviate hunger and increase access to nutritious food. Tickets are $125 per person or $225 per couple, and availability is limited. Secure your spot now at https://lnkd.in/eTy-srJa. For sponsorship opportunities or questions, contact Joanne Anderson, Senior Development Officer, at janderson@caclv.org. Don’t miss this opportunity to celebrate and support a great cause...See you there!

THIS SUNDAY! Join Second Harvest Food Bank at the Allentown St. Patrick’s Day Parade!🍀🎉 On Sunday, March 23rd starting at 1:30 PM, we’ll be collecting food donations along the parade route. Bring a non-perishable food item and hand it off to one of the Cub Scouts marching in the parade! Look out for our Food Bank truck as we gather donations from the crowd. The parade kicks off at the Allentown Fairgrounds and follows a route north from 19th & Liberty Street, west on Tilghman, south on 25th Street, and east on Liberty Street. Let’s fill the truck and fight hunger together...See you there! 🥫Requested donation items (non-expired, in boxes, cans, or plastic, unopened/unused): -Canned foods (veggies, fruits, soups, beans - low sodium) -Peanut butter + jellies -Pasta + pasta sauce -Low-sugar cereal -Canned chicken + tuna -Rice + grains -Cooking oils -Shelf-stable milks (dairy + non-dairy)

Our Just Born Finance Team rolled up their sleeves and put in the work at Second Harvest Food Bank of the Lehigh Valley and Northeast Pennsylvania, packing an incredible 5,965 pounds of food—that’s 4,970 meals for families in the Lehigh Valley! 💪✨ 💛 We believe in giving forward and making a difference in our community. Huge thanks to our Finance PEEPS ® for living our values and bringing the same dedication to service as they do to our business every day! #JustBornInc #GivingForward #SweetSupport #MakingADifference #SweetCareersSecondSecond Harvest Food Bank of the Lehigh Valley and Northeast Pennsylvania

The Commonwealth Budget funds critical anti-hunger programs like the State Food Purchase Program (SFPP) and the PA Agricultural Surplus System (PASS), which provide important food resources to food banks and our partners. We must protect state investments in these programs so that we can continue to serve the over 1.5 million food insecure Pennsylvanians who rely on us every year.

Spring is almost here - time to get your garden ready! Celebrate the season at The Seed Farm’s 11th Annual Spring Plant Sale in Emmaus, PA on Mother’s Day weekend. Choose from 200+ varieties of locally grown vegetables, herbs, flowers, and native plants, grown without synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, or genetically modified seeds. See you there!

Thank you to the The Morning Call for their recent front page write up on The Seed Farm, a program of Second Harvest Food Bank and Community Action Lehigh Valley! Located in Upper Milford Township, The Seed Farm is a launching pad for new farmers, providing crucial resources like land, equipment, and technical support to help them establish their businesses. Over the past 15 years, TSF has helped start 23 farm businesses, including The Gnar Garden, a vegetable and herb farm and Sistah Seeds, which preserves seeds from the African diaspora. Thanks to a $14,000 grant from Pennsylvania’s Agricultural Innovation Fund, The Seed Farm will soon acquire a rinse conveyor system to help farmers prepare their produce for market. This grant is part of a larger state initiative to support agricultural innovation, with The Seed Farm being the only Lehigh County recipient in this funding round. The program also teaches business skills and record keeping, ensuring that participants leave not just with farming experience, but with the tools to run a successful operation. Strong local food systems equals food security! To read more, visit: https://lnkd.in/e5VcjtGt.

We had a fantastic time celebrating #InternationalWomensDay with the African American Business Leaders Council, Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and Women's Business Council, who hosted a fantastic panel luncheon in Allentown. We heard from inspiring female representatives of Adept Group, the PA Bar Association, Valley Health Partners, Bethlehem City Council, and PPL—all sharing their expertise and experiences. The panel was moderated by our very own Sandra Bieber, Community Action Lehigh Valley Board Member and Chair of the Development Committee! It was a powerful day of motivation, inspiration, and unity, celebrating the impact of women in our careers and lives!✊️❤️ #WomensHistoryMonth