Healthy Food Pantry
The Allentown Area Ecumenical Food Bank is Lehigh County’s only daily food bank, offering essential support to families from Monday through Friday. Serving around 60,000 people annually, it is open to all Lehigh County residents in need.
Below is a breakdown of the numbers of meals provided in 2024:
"We believe access to nutritious foods is a basic human right."
Client Choice Pantry
A Client Choice Pantry allows clients to select their own food instead of receiving prepacked bags of groceries. With this method, clients do not have to take items they already have, do not like, or cannot eat for health or personal reasons and instead choose items that are most needed in their home. Our pantry offers shelf-stable foods such as canned vegetables and beans, pasta and rice, pasta sauce and soups. There are also refrigerators and freezers loaded with fresh and frozen produce, meats, and dairy products. Additionally, we offer clients personal care items such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap and shampoo when available. Historically, approximately 60% of these products are supplied by the federally funded The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP).
The Elderly Food Program
The Elderly Food Program, launched in Spring 2024, delivers TEFAP foods to homebound seniors in Senior Housing Buildings. Currently serving 130 residents, the program plans to double its reach in 2025, ensuring more seniors have access to nutritious meals.
PA Senior Food Box Program
The PA Senior Food Box Program is a federally funded program providing a supplemental food package to low-income seniors. More than 130 seniors receive a box monthly with a waiting list for interested clients.
The Summer Kids Program
The Summer Kids Program offers a diverse selection of nutritious foods for families, aiming to bridge the gap during the summer months when children no longer have access to regular school meals. By providing essential groceries and kid-friendly snacks, the program helps ensure that children continue to receive the nourishment they need to stay healthy, active, and ready to learn—even when school is out.
Meals on Wheels Partnership
The food bank supports Meals on Wheels clients, by providing monthly groceries to ensure the individuals who rely on the meal service still have access to food during weekends when meal deliveries don't occur. This service helps bridge a critical gap, especially for those who might struggle with food insecurity or have limited access to resources.
