With year-over-year inflation topping 3.25 percent in March and April, Lehigh Valley residents are finding it an increasing challenge to make ends meet. Add in periodic government shutdowns that pause Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program payments, and the picture becomes even darker.

That’s where neighbors are stepping up to help, with monetary gifts, gifts-in-kind, and their own time and effort. Here, local charitable organizations involved in feeding hungry residents share the best ways that people can help their neighbors bridge the gap.

Places to give time, effort

The Community Café Choice Pantry at 402 West Chew Street in Allentown, managed by Catholic Charities, is a place where volunteers keep shelves stocked and accessible for neighbors experiencing food insecurity. Volunteers help with multiple parts of the supply chain, by assisting with food pickups from churches and local businesses throughout the Lehigh Valley, organizing and stocking pantry items, and helping clients shop with dignity on Tuesday afternoons. Some roles involve standing and light lifting of up to 25 pounds, but accommodations can be made to meet individual abilities.

Catholic Charities also operates a Community Café kitchen in the parish hall of Immaculate Conception Church, 501 Ridge Avenue, Allentown, where free lunches are prepared and served to anyone in need. Meals are offered Mondays, Fridays, and Saturdays from noon to 1 p.m. Volunteers assist with food pickups from local businesses throughout the Lehigh Valley in partnership with Second Harvest Food Bank. Volunteers also support the café by managing inventory, preparing meals, serving food and beverages, and assisting with cleanup. Parking is available on-site for both programs.

Additional details about volunteer opportunities, background clearance requirements, and time commitments are available on the Catholic Charities Diocese of Allentown website at catholiccharitiesad.org under the “Volunteer” section. Individuals or groups interested in learning more – including arranging a group volunteer day – may contact Community Engagement Specialist Taiba Salloum at.lloum@allentowndiocese.org.

Helping Harvest of Berks and Schuylkill Counties has volunteer opportunities for individuals 12 and older, with adult accompaniment required for helpers under age 16. The organization’s website notes that most volunteer opportunities involve packing food in the warehouse (229 Washington Street in Reading) on weekdays, from 8:30 to 11 a.m., and 12:30 to 3 p.m. There are additional Mobile Market opportunities on the second and fourth Saturdays of each month. Volunteers may read more about requirements and sign up at helpingharvest.org/volunteer/.

The Lehigh Conference of Churches runs a Conference Kitchen at 457 W. Allen Street in Allentown. Coordinator Amarelis Rodriguez tells us, “We welcome and rely on volunteers to help keep our kitchen running smoothly. We are serving about 300 to 400 meals daily: breakfast, lunch, and dinner Monday through Friday, and breakfast and lunch on Saturday. Volunteer roles may include cooking, preparation, serving, and general support. Depending on the role, volunteers should be comfortable standing for extended periods, assisting with light lifting, and working in a fast-paced kitchen environment.” Anyone wishing to help can contact Rodriguez at 610-433-6421, extension 6241.

The Lowhill Food Pantry, run by Christ’s Church Lowhill, serves people in need at 4695 Lowhill Church Road in New Tripoli. Food pantry chairperson Marci Reinert explains that there are two types of volunteer work available: “Stocking, which requires some lifting (if the person is able), checking dates on nonperishable foods, and stocking shelves. Stocking days are the first Tuesday and the last Saturday of the month from 9 to 11 a.m. The second opportunity is “Client distribution, which requires standing (if able). Volunteers are positioned at different stations of the pantry to assist clients who are shopping if they need help.” Volunteers can use the “Volunteer Submission Form” on the “Contact” tab of the church’s website lowhillfoodpantry.com to requesting volunteering days

Parkland Cares Food Pantry (5074 Kernsville Road, Unit #3, in Orefield) serves families living with the boundaries of Parkland SD, and provides both a “choice” food pantry and a weekend “snack pack” program for students. The organization believes in getting residents involved in helping others from a young age. Groups of school-aged children are encouraged to experience the power of giving to others by engaging in age-appropriate, hands-on volunteer work sorting and checking donations; visit parklandcaresfp.org/give_help/kids-cares/. High school students are encouraged to participate in the operations of both the choice pantry and the snack pack program. Visit parklandcaresfp.org/give_help/high-school-cares/.

Volunteers help Second Harvest Food Bank, in partnership with Community Action Lehigh Valley, to sort and pack donations. Second Harvest’s local office is located at 6969 Silver Crest Road in Nazareth, and the volunteer coordinator is Nicole Folino at 484-821-2401.

How to donate

The most secure and efficient way to make a financial donation to Catholic Charities (Diocese of Allentown) is through the “Donate” link on the website, catholiccharitiesad.org, where most major credit cards are accepted. Donors may also contribute by check, mailed to Catholic Charities Diocese of Allentown, P.O. Box 4398, Allentown, PA 18105.

Andrea Neagle of Catholic Charities notes, “The most effective way to donate gifts-in-kind is to coordinate directly with Catholic Charities in advance, so donations align with current program needs and food safety standards.” Catholic Charities regularly accepts shelf-stable food items, as well as supplies like hand carts, metal shelving units, and food-safe disposable gloves, but needs vary, and regulations about donated food are strict, so donors (individual or corporate) should contact the diocese to ensure a match between donations and needs. Details about acceptable food items and donation coordination can be obtained by contacting Regional Food & Nutrition Hub Manager Joe Favorito at vorito@allentowndiocese.org.

Helping Harvest accepts monetary donations and food donations, as well as encouraging individuals and groups to organize food drives. More information is available online at: helpingharvest.org/donate/ and helpingharvest.org/donate-food/.

The Lehigh Conference of Churches accepts both monetary donations and donations of nonperishable food items, e.g., granola bars, tuna, chicken packets, mini water bottles, beef jerky, juice boxes, and fruit cups. Donations can be scheduled for drop off with Amarelis Rodriguez by calling 610-433-6421, extension 6241. The Conference recommends reaching out ahead of time or visiting the website to confirm current needs and donation times. The most up-to-date resource for making a monetary donation and learning more about ways to give is the Conference’s website lehighchurches.org/get-involved/donate/.

The Lowhill Food Pantry accepts monetary donations by mail at Christ’s Church at Lowhill, P.O. Box 115, New Tripoli PA 18066. Donations of nonperishable food are accepted on the first Tuesday and the last Saturday of each month from 9 to 11 a.m.

Parkland CARES Food Pantry accepts monetary donations online though parklandcaresfp.org/new-donation-page/, in addition to checks mailed to 5074 Kernsville Road, Unit #4, Orefield PA 18069. Although the pantry receives some food from Second Harvest, the West Allentown Rotary Club, and local companies, “Food drives are one of the biggest things that the younger population does for us, and we absolutely welcome those,” says Executive Director Katrina Sundstrom. Donors interested in holding a food drive are asked to contact the pantry at inquiry@parklandcaresfp.org for coordination to ensure that the most needed items are gathered.

Food wholesalers and retailers interested in helping a local food pantry with donations of food are welcome to contact Second Harvest, which coordinates efforts across the Lehigh Valley. Visit shfblv.org/.