September 19, 2023 - Bethlehem, PA

ADVISORY - Shapiro Administration Awards $1.6 Million to 39 Foodbanks, Pantries, and Soup Kitchens to Expand Emergency Food Access Across Pennsylvania

Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding visited New Bethany Choice Food Pantry in Bethlehem to announce awards of more than $1.6 million to 40 food banks, pantries, shelters, and soup kitchens across Pennsylvania through The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) Reach and Resiliency Grants. Today's grant awards recognize Hunger Action Month, and demonstrate the Shapiro Administration's commitment to fighting hunger and food insecurity and increasing access to healthy food for Pennsylvanians, wherever they live.

"No one should go hungry in a state with the wealth and bounty we have in Pennsylvania," Secretary Redding said. "But far too often families do not know where their next meal is coming from and they need our help. Expanding the capacity of organizations like New Bethany to supply fresh, healthy food to families in need is just one part of a broad Shapiro Administration strategy to work toward a healthier, more secure Pennsylvania."

New Bethany is receiving $23,610 to reconfigure the space in their Choice Food Pantry, allowing them to increase cold storage capacity, offer a greater variety of fresh, nutritious food, and more efficiently serve more people in need of food assistance. New Bethany offers hope and support to people experiencing poverty, hunger, and homelessness. The organization provides food, wellness programming, transitional housing, permanent affordable housing, and financial case management to those working toward self-sufficiency.

List of Speakers:
Caryn Long Earl, Director, Food Assistance
Marc Rittle, Executive Director, New Bethany
Susan Wandalowski, Director of Human Services for Northampton County
Rep. Steve Samuelson
Dr. Patty Bennett, Mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator, Food and Nutrition Service, USDA
Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding

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