We are living in a confusing time where frustrations linger on the uncertainty of tomorrow. During a crisis, it seems natural to savor our snacks and hoard our food, but it is during difficult times we should turn and share with our neighbors - 6 feet apart, of course.

With members of the community facing the possibility of temporary layoffs due to the current coronavirus pandemic, many are stretching their last paychecks for everyday essentials. Children who are used to eating one or two meals through school-provided sources are now eating at home from budgets that might already be stretched thin.

This is why organizations like food banks and food pantries exist. However, the coronavirus pandemic has hit these organizations hard.

Second Harvest Food Bank, 6969 Silver Crest Road, Nazareth, is a food pantry serving 200 agencies in Northeast Pennsylvania, including Carbon, Lehigh and Northampton counties.

The food pantry’s director, Katarah Jordan, says there has been an increase in food bank clientele across multiple communities in Northeast Pennsylvania, yet “about 10 percent of the food banks we work with have shut down” due to lack of supplies and volunteers.

Many of the usual volunteers are elderly, a demographic especially susceptible to the virus.

Second Harvest is a major contributor to smaller, local facilities, such as Northampton Area Food Bank and Catasauqua Community Food Bank.

You can click the Find Food option on Second Harvest’s website, shfblv.org, which will show you all of the operating food banks in the area with their contact information.

Local retail stores also contribute to the local food banks.

As the panic buying of large quantities of food circulates over social media, “things have gotten lean” over at the Catasauqua food bank, according to 12-year veteran volunteer Eugenia Emer.

These organizations rely on the generosity of others and are urging individuals to look at those around them and help where they can.

Second Harvest is only accepting monetary donations at this time. Visit Second Harvest’s website and find the red box labeled Donate in the upper right-hand corner.

Northampton Area Food Bank, 1601 Canal St., is currently serving residents Thursdays 5-7 p.m. and Saturdays 9 a.m.-noon.

Enrollment has increased, according to an inside source, and the facility is in desperate need of donations.

If interested in donating, call 610-262-8030 or visit 9-11 a.m. Tuesday through Friday. Volunteers are accepting all goods.

Catasauqua Community Food Bank, 527 Front St., will be open for residents 3-4 p.m. Wednesdays and Fridays.

The food bank is seeing three or four new clients per day and has been struggling to stock its shelves.

Call 610-264-8366 if interested in donating. Volunteers there are also accepting all goods.