The Allentown Area Ecumenical Food Bank exists solely to provide relief to the hungry people in Allentown and surrounding areas through the volunteer help of local congregations, businesses, organizations, and individuals. All of the food bank’s clients live in Lehigh County. Persons living outside Lehigh County are referred to food banks in their respective areas.
The Allentown Area Ecumenical Food Bank was founded on Oct. 4, 1978, by ministers of churches in the city who recognized the need to feed the less fortunate. The organization was based in the basement of St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church on South Fifth St. until demand for services forced the food bank for an expanded facility. The organization moved to its current location in Alliance Hall at Sixth and Chew streets in Feb. 1992 through a rental agreement with the Lehigh Conference of Churches. Since March 2017 the Food Bank has a new rental agreement with Alliance Hall.
Our Organization
The food bank is run by a Board of Directors comprised primarily of members of area churches. Its work is powered five days a week by six part-time employees and approximately 200 volunteers.
Sources of Food and Costs
The majority of the Allentown Area Ecumenical Food Bank’s supply is provided by the Second Harvest Food Bank of the Lehigh Valley, which is supported by state and federal governments. The Allentown Food Bank also receives substantial food donations from churches, area businesses, scout groups, benevolent organizations, and individuals. The food bank also purchases items with its own funds on the open market when necessary.
The current cost to operate the food bank five days a week, excluding donated food, is approximately $200,000 annually. Since the food bank does not charge its clients in any way, all of these funds must be donated to the food bank each year.
Working With Us
Participation in the work of the Allentown Area Ecumenical Food Bank shall not be restricted. Any individual, congregation, organization, or business may participate by donating time and/or service, food, or money. The Food Bank shall be operated and staffed by volunteers and paid employees. The major role of leadership shall come from local congregations.
Our Service Statistics
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
Families Served
10,900
10,694
9,734
8,556
7,717
7,488
7,530
Singles Served
3,719
3,813
3,478
3,170
3,109
3,023
3,099
Total Individuals Served
31,927
30,919
27,841
23,868
20,602
20,181
19,686
- Children (Ages 1-17)
11,589
10,934
9,980
8,378
6,925
7,224
6,948
- Adults (Ages 18-59)
19,376
19,019
16,996
14,692
12,929
12,143
12,000
- Seniors (Ages 60+)
962
966
865
798
748
751
738
New Clients
593
558
424
330
290
238
228
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Our Charity Status and Accountability
The Allentown Area Ecumenical Food Bank is a tax-exempt organization under section 501(c)(3) of the IRS code and is certified by Commonwealth of Pennsylvania through their Bureau of Charitable Organizations. The food bank files a federal tax return annually using IRS form 990 in accordance with federal law and provides it here in the spirit of transparency and accountability.
The Allentown Area Ecumenical Food Bank is Allentown’s only daily food bank, assisting families in need from Monday through Friday. Every dollar of your support helps provide this crucial support to approximately 25,000 people or more each year.
Our Facts
Our Mission and History
The Allentown Area Ecumenical Food Bank exists solely to provide relief to the hungry people in Allentown and surrounding areas through the volunteer help of local congregations, businesses, organizations, and individuals. All of the food bank’s clients live in Lehigh County. Persons living outside Lehigh County are referred to food banks in their respective areas.
The Allentown Area Ecumenical Food Bank was founded on Oct. 4, 1978, by ministers of churches in the city who recognized the need to feed the less fortunate. The organization was based in the basement of St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church on South Fifth St. until demand for services forced the food bank for an expanded facility. The organization moved to its current location in Alliance Hall at Sixth and Chew streets in Feb. 1992 through a rental agreement with the Lehigh Conference of Churches. Since March 2017 the Food Bank has a new rental agreement with Alliance Hall.
Our Organization
The food bank is run by a Board of Directors comprised primarily of members of area churches. Its work is powered five days a week by six part-time employees and approximately 200 volunteers.
Sources of Food and Costs
The majority of the Allentown Area Ecumenical Food Bank’s supply is provided by the Second Harvest Food Bank of the Lehigh Valley, which is supported by state and federal governments. The Allentown Food Bank also receives substantial food donations from churches, area businesses, scout groups, benevolent organizations, and individuals. The food bank also purchases items with its own funds on the open market when necessary.
The current cost to operate the food bank five days a week, excluding donated food, is approximately $200,000 annually. Since the food bank does not charge its clients in any way, all of these funds must be donated to the food bank each year.
Working With Us
Participation in the work of the Allentown Area Ecumenical Food Bank shall not be restricted. Any individual, congregation, organization, or business may participate by donating time and/or service, food, or money. The Food Bank shall be operated and staffed by volunteers and paid employees. The major role of leadership shall come from local congregations.
Our Service Statistics
Our Charity Status and Accountability
The Allentown Area Ecumenical Food Bank is a tax-exempt organization under section 501(c)(3) of the IRS code and is certified by Commonwealth of Pennsylvania through their Bureau of Charitable Organizations. The food bank files a federal tax return annually using IRS form 990 in accordance with federal law and provides it here in the spirit of transparency and accountability.
Our IRS 501(c)(3) Status Letter
Our Latest IRS 990 Tax Form
Give to the Allentown Food Bank
The Allentown Area Ecumenical Food Bank is Allentown’s only daily food bank, assisting families in need from Monday through Friday. Every dollar of your support helps provide this crucial support to approximately 25,000 people or more each year.
Give to the Allentown Food Bank