Published October 21. 2026 12:49PM
The federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) normally helps 1 in 10 people buy food. Since federal cuts to SNAP there has been a 13 percent drop in SNAP enrollment, from 42.2 million enrollees in May 2025 to 36.6 million in May 2026. It has driven up demand at local food banks.
One such pantry helping to meet the increased demand is operated by the Central Moravian Church congregation.
The first Sunday of each month between 8:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Central Moravian Church members accept food donations from the congregation and general community in the Christian Education Building lot off New Street next to God’s Acre, to stock the church’s food pantry. The pantry is located at the rear of the church office which is housed at 73 W. Church Street.
The program is coordinated by Connie Pierce and Janice Stock. As a choice designated pantry clients are accepted from anywhere. Additional donations come from Redners, Giant, Second Harvest and include fresh produce from Monocacy Farms. Hours are the first and fourth Fridays and second and third Saturdays each month from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. Pierce says they average about 50 clients each day.
Next door to the pantry is Cynthia’s Boutique, where clientele can select clothing, underwear, shoes, accessories, linens, sheets, towels and small household items. Donations are accepted every Thursday unless it is a holiday. The Boutique is open the first Friday and third Saturday of each month between 8:30 and 11:30 a.m.
Call 610-866-5661 for additional information.
Press photos by Dana GrubbAnnie Jones accepts food donations from Central Moravian Church member Dave Bechtold who says he supports the food pantry all of the time.
Annie and David Jones have a car load of food donations for the Central Moravian Church food pantry.
Five year volunteer Ralph Lapore wheels a cart of food items out to a recipient’s vehicle.
Volunteers at the food pantry must register clientele who come to get food assistance.
A volunteer helps a client select food in the dry food room at the pantry.
Next door to the food pantry, volunteers at Cynthia’s Boutique sort through donated clothing.
Bethlehem resident Sean packs up his food after a recent visit to the Central Moravian Church food pantry.
