During the Catasauqua Communities That Care meeting Dec. 17, 2025, the coalition heard an update on holiday happenings to support economically disadvantaged families and students.

Lois Reed, Catasauqua Community Cares Program coordinator, noted they were ready for the winter break food distribution, which was set for Dec. 20, 2025. Since schools were closed for about 16 days, she said they had bags of food for all the students who take part in the program to have breakfast and lunch food items for the two-week span.

Reed also thanked Catasauqua Area School District staff and others who donated to C3P to assist with the effort. Additionally, she noted Feed the Children gave them a donation of snack foods, and Sheckler Elementary School’s Home and School Association not only donated spaghetti sauce, but gave Reed a connection with Redner’s Food Market to help get more for the students.

In connection to the food distribution, students were treated to a little Santa shop while their parents picked up the food. Children were able to choose three items to gift to someone. Families were also given bags of additional items to help during the holiday season.

The Santa shop was coordinated by Julie Miller of Clean Organize Repeat.

Looking back, Reed also thanked everyone who helped with and donated to the Thanksgiving food distribution, adding an area day care gave a big donation of turkeys, pies and additional holiday food stuffs.

Amy Dymond-Jones, CTC coordinator and Catasauqua Middle School counselor, said the annual Shop with a Cop went well. Held the first weekend in December, students from 19 families were treated to a shopping trip at Target, with a buddy from Lehigh-Northampton Airport Authority. Students bought gifts for their families and were treated to a catered lunch back at CMS while the gifts were wrapped. Families also receive additional holiday supplies and gift cards.

Dymond-Jones also reported Pastor Brian Riedy and Officer Jenna Potak, CASD school resource officer, also worked to provide additional support to district families during the holidays. It was noted they coordinated with the district to help make sure the support was spread out to help as many families as possible.

In addition, Dymond-Jones mentioned each of the district schools has a Giving Tree to help. She noted the CMS Giving Tree is focused on helping the students who may be dealing with homelessness.

Regarding the mental health and well-being of the students, Dymond-Jones reported Salisbury Behavioral Health/RHA added more staff members, which will be helpful in meeting the needs of the students.

The deadline for students to apply to be Bigs for the district’s new Big Brothers Big Sisters program was Dec. 15, 2025.

Dymond-Jones said they are also considering options if they do not have enough high schoolers interested. It is expected the Bigs and Littles will start meeting in February.

Lehigh County STARs/SADD liaison Leanne Debrosse said the healthy living expo, held Nov. 20, 2025, at Catasauqua High School, was a success. She noted about a dozen outside organizations and nine schools participated.

“It went really well,” she said.

Dymond-Jones noted they are waiting for information about the Strengthening Families Program and are in talks with Treatment Trends about having a certified recovery specialist come and talk with the students at CMS and possibly CHS. She said they are also identifying dates for the vaping presentations for students.

A recent focus for the group has been parent involvement. Dymond-Jones said she is working on planning a Coffee with Counselors event for middle school families, possibly for late January.

She said she also wants to plan an event celebrating the CMS students who earn consecutive honor rolls. The group members gave feedback on timing and other details that may be helpful for families to make the event as successful as possible.

The next Catasauqua CTC meeting is set for 7:45 a.m. Jan. 21 in the district administration board room, 201 N. 14th St.