With delays in SNAP benefits caused by the federal government shutdown and the ongoing lack of a Pennsylvania state budget, local food pantries are feeling the strain. Several Carbon County pantries have reported increased numbers at their food distributions — especially families with children looking for extra support to help cover groceries.
In response, the Carbon County Community Foundation established the Feeding Our Neighbors Fund to provide immediate support to food pantries throughout the county. The fund was seeded with an initial $5,000 contribution from the Fund for Carbon County to get relief out quickly.
Just days after the fund launched, the Foundation received an anonymous $100,000 donation, allowing us to make a major impact right away. Thanks to this incredible generosity, the Foundation will distribute $7,000 grants to 14 food pantries across Carbon County to help restock shelves and serve local families in need.
“This incredible generosity shows the strength of our community and the power of people coming together to care for one another,” said Sharon Alexander, President of the Carbon County Community Foundation. “I’m grateful to our board for allowing us to react so quickly and to the community for coming through so we can help make sure no one in Carbon County goes hungry during this difficult time.”
The Feeding Our Neighbors Fund will remain open for additional contributions, and once SNAP benefits are reinstated, the Foundation plans to transition it into a permanent fund supporting long-term food security efforts in our region.
Food pantries receiving grants this round include*:
- Beaver Meadows Food Pantry
- Common Grounds Food Pantry
- Jim Thorpe Food Pantry
- Lansford Food Pantry
- Lehighton Trinity Food Pantry
- Nesquehoning Food Pantry
- Palmerton CACPAC Food Pantry
- Panther Valley Community Center Food Pantry
- Panther Valley Community Food Pantry
- St. Peter’s Community Resource Center
- Summit Hill Food Pantry
- Tresckow Food Pantry
- Weatherly Food Pantry
- Zion Delly Berger Food Pantry
*Food pantry information was sourced from Second Harvest Food Bank of Lehigh Valley & NEPA and Shepherd House, Inc.
If you operate a food pantry located in Carbon County that is not listed, please contact us to be considered for future support.
If you are an individual in need of food or other support, you can find your local food pantry and its distribution hours on the Find Food section of the Second Harvest Food Bank website. You can also visit https://www.pa211.org/ or dial 2-1-1 to get referrals to support agencies in your area.