Chairman Roger Hudak trumpeted the success of summer youth programs across South Bethlehem before turning the attention to the Hispanic Center food bank at the Mayor's South Side Task Force meeting July 30 at Northampton Community College's Fowler Family Southside Center.

The Hispanic Center food bank, which began operations last November, is short on food according to board member Donna Taggart, due to high demand. She went on to say the food bank serves more than 80 families composed of more than 300 people.

"The need is tremendous," said Hudak.

The food bank is open on the third Saturday every month between 1 to 3 p.m. The success has led to the Hispanic Center seeking more food donations. The center is located at 520 E. Fourth St. In addition to the food bank, the center runs other programs for the community.

Taggart went on to mention that the next meeting for the proposed Community Benefit District will be announced soon. The district, which could run from Wyandotte to Hayes Streets and from First Street to Packer Avenue, would cost property owners an annual fee which would be used to pay for additional services. In addition the district would be guaranteed services from the city of Bethlehem.

In other business, task force member Dale Kochard reminded that a quarter of Lehigh University's incoming freshmen will arrive August 19 with the rest following on August 22 for orientation weekend. On August 23 roughly 700 members of the freshman class will be invited to eat out at a South Bethlehem restaurant.

"If you're planning to have dinner out that Friday, it's going to be a little crowded," Kochard added.

The next meeting of the South Side Task Force will be at 4 p.m. Sept. 24 at Northampton Community College's Fowler campus in room 623.