Need Assistance or Want to Help Others This Thanksgiving and Holiday Season?
News Release: November 19, 2003
Contact: Janice Osborne, Director-Communications and Marketing
(610) 865-4400, ext. 262
If you and your family need assistance this Thanksgiving or holiday season or if you want to make the holidays a little brighter for others but don’t know who to call, American Red Cross Valley Wide Help has the answer.
Red Cross Valley Wide Help, an information and referral service of the American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley, has compiled a list of area agencies and organizations providing assistance to families this Thanksgiving and holiday season and those seeking donations.
For the most up-to-date information, call Red Cross Valley Wide Help at 610-865-4400.
For Thanksgiving Holiday Meals, contact:
Allentown:
Bethany Evangelical Congregational Church (Everlasting Life Ministries), 610-434-1477; 224 N. Sixth St., Allentown; Saturday, Nov. 22; 12:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.
New Generation Day Care, 610-434-2456; 42 N. Seventh St., Allentown; Thanksgiving Day Dinner: 6 p.m.
St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Fellowship Hall, 610-435-9065; 36 S. Eighth St., Allentown; Thanksgiving Day Dinner: 11:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Bethlehem:
New Bethany Ministries, 610-691-5602; 333 Fourth St., Bethlehem; Thanksgiving Day Dinner: Noon
Trinity SK, 610-867-4741; 44 E. Market St., Bethlehem; Thanksgiving Day Dinner: Noon to 1 p.m.
Easton:
Safe Harbor, 610-258-5540; 536 Bushkill Dr., Easton; Thanksgiving Day Dinner: 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.; call to make reservation.
Trinity Episcopal Church, 610-253-0792; 234 Spring Garden St., Easton; Saturday, Nov. 29: Noon; no reservation necessary.
Carbon County:
Faith Alive United Methodist Church, 610-377-1471 (Marcia); 678 Pine St., Bowmanstown; Saturday, Nov. 22: 1 p.m. -3 p.m.; Transportation available for Carbon County residents. Call to reserve ride.
Tamaqua Salvation Army, 570-668-0410; 105 W. Broad St., Tamaqua; Community Thanksgiving Meal: Noon – 4 p.m.; Residents of Carbon and Schuylkill counties only.
Other Areas:
Northern Lehigh Pastoral Association, 610-767-3401; Thanksgiving baskets for Northern Lehigh Food Bank clients only.
For Holiday Meals and Holiday Events, contact:
Allentown:
Bethany Evangelical Congregational Church, (Everlasting Life Ministries), 610-434-1477; 224 N. Sixth Street, Allentown; Saturday, Dec. 20: 12:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.
New Generation Learning Center, 610-434-2456; 712 W. Linden Street, Allentown; Sunday, Dec. 21 at 6 p.m.
Lehigh County Conference of Churches Soup Kitchen, 610-433-6421; at St. James A.M.E and Zion Church, 610-433-6406; 410 Union Street, Allentown; Christmas Day Dinner: Noon
St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 610-435-9065; 36 S. Eighth Street, Allentown; Christmas Day Breakfast: 8 am
Spirit of the Lehigh Valley, 610-231-5701; Four Points Sheraton, 3400 Airport Road, Allentown; Christmas Eve, Dec. 24: “Annual” Free Dinner Buffet including entertainment and Santa; call to volunteer your time, talent or treasure.
Free bus pick-up. To reserve a seat, contact one of the following agencies:
Allentown: Allentown Rescue Mission, 610-740-5500; Boys and Girls Club of Allentown, 610-432-9323; Hispanic American Organization, 610-435-5334; Program For Women And Families,610-433-6556; Salvation Army, 610-432-0129
Bethlehem: Center City Ministries, 610-691-3373; Community Services For Children, 610-437-6000; New Bethany Ministries, 610-691-5602; Northampton Housing Authority, 610-759-8488; Northeast Ministries, 610-691-3355; Salvation Army, 610-867-4681; South Bethlehem Neighborhood Center, 610-865-2791; Turning Point, 610-797-0530; Valley Youth House, 610-820-0166
Easton: Boys and Girls Club of Easton, 610-253-5846; Easton Area Neighborhood Center, 610-253-4253; Project of Easton, 610-258-4361; Salvation Army, 610-258-9531
Bethlehem:
New Bethany Ministries, 610-691-5602; 333 Fourth Street, Bethlehem; Christmas Day Brunch: 11 a.m.
Trinity SK, 610-867-4741; 44 East Market Street, Bethlehem; Christmas Day Dinner: Noon to 1 p.m.
Easton:
Boys and Girls Club of Easton, 610-253-5846; 508-A Charles Street, Easton; Saturday, Dec. 20: Noon; Holiday party for children ages 5 to 12. No fee if member of club; Non-members: $5 (includes club membership)
Community That Cares Clinic/Easton Area Neighborhood Center, 610-252-7309; Holiday party for families with children ages 12 and under who are clients and residents of Easton’s West Ward; Friday, Dec. 19: 4 p.m. - 6 p.m.; Location: VFW Post 1290, 516 Northampton Street, Easton; Call to make reservation
Project Hope, 610-258-3599 (after 5:00 p.m.); Third Street Alliance, 41 N. Third Street, Easton; Sunday, Dec. 21: 2 p.m.- 5 p.m.; Meal including a visit from Santa with toys for the children
Trinity Episcopal Church, 610-253-0792; 234 Spring Garden Street, Easton; Saturday, Dec. 20 at Noon; no reservation needed
Northeast Ministries, 610-691-3355; serves public housing clients residing in Northeast Bethlehem and having address of Livingston Street.
South Bethlehem Neighborhood Center, 610-865-2791; serves clients residing within the area of ZIP Code “18015”
Carbon County:
The Salvation Army of Tamaqua, 570-668-0410; holiday food baskets for residents of Carbon and Schuylkill counties
Greater Lehigh Valley Area:
American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley, 610-332-1589; “Military Family Holiday Cheer Campaign”-- Active-duty military families living in Carbon, Lehigh and Northampton counties will be matched with individuals and organizations wishing to make the holiday brighter for the service family. Military identification will be required by the service family when calling to register.
If You’d Like to Make a Donation, contact:
Aids Outreach, 610-435-8424; “Christmas Angel”: Looking for donations of gifts/food for individuals and families living with HIV/AIDS.
Allentown Rescue Mission, 610-740-5500; Looking for donations of gift certificates for shelter residents specifically from Giant Food Stores, Redner’s Warehouse Markets and Wal-Mart. Also, donations of food including paper goods such as foam 6-12 ounce cups, 9-inch plates and napkins along with the donation of male personal care items.
Boys and Girls Club of Easton, 610-253-5846; Looking for the donation of age appropriate gifts for children ages 5-12 to be distributed at a holiday party to be held on Saturday, Dec. 20.
Everlasting Life Ministries, 610-776-4009; Asking for donations of cooked turkeys (in disposable tins), baked goods, money and time to support a community holiday dinner.
Hogar Crea, 610-866-3442 (Contact: Lorrine Zoto); Looking for donations of toys and clothing for both children and women ages 20-50. Both new and used items accepted. Also, the donation of female personal care items.
Lehigh County Conference of Churches, 610-433-6421; Requesting the following adult items: Bar soap, blankets, combs, deodorant, female hygiene products, hand lotion, men’s socks, new or clean-used underwear, pony tail holders, razors, shampoo, shaving cream, small hand towels, toothbrushes, toothpaste. Children: Coloring books, crayons, puzzles, etc. Baby Items: Baby bottles, diapers, lotion; drop-off (Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.): J.S. Burkholder Funeral Home, 16th & Hamilton Street, Allentown, 610-433-5161.
Project Hope, 610-258-3599; In need of toys for children (age 3 weeks to age 18) who will be attending the holiday meal being held Sunday, Dec. 21. Also, non-perishable food items for baskets along with the donation of mittens, socks and scarves.
Project of Easton, 610-258-4361; 320 Ferry Street, Easton; “Blanket Easton With Love:” Collecting new, full-size, wrapped blankets. Deliver to the organization’s office by Dec. 5.
Rejoice, 610-439-1990; In need of toys and children’s clothing and items suitable for teens.
Sacred Heart Visiting Nurse Association, 610-434-6134 (Contact: Joanne Marzola);
Asking for monetary donations in order to purchase gifts for children of clients along with the donation of non-perishable food items.
South Bethlehem Neighborhood Center, 610-865-2791; In need of new, donated items that will be used to stock shelves of a holiday shop where children may shop for gifts for family and friends. Accepting donations of turkeys for the Thanksgiving holiday.
Spirit of Lehigh Valley, 610-231-5701 (Contact: Marci Huber); Volunteer your time, talent or treasure to support this event: free dinner buffet. New, unwrapped toys may be dropped off at the Four Points Sheraton, Airport Road, Bethlehem, or Holiday Inn Fogelsville, Routes 100 & I-78, Fogelsville. Also accepting food donations; examples: dinner rolls and desserts.
Spring Garden Children’s Center, 610-252-0559 (Contact: Pat Hunter); Looking for donations of books, school items and age appropriate toys for children who attend the center. Also, the donation of personal care items to be given to the parents of the children.
The Salvation Army of Allentown, 610-431-0129; Turkeys and canned hams are needed to fill holiday food baskets along with volunteers to pack the baskets. Looking for donations of clothing and toys.
The Salvation Army of Bethlehem, 610-867-4681; Turkeys and canned hams are needed to fill holiday food baskets along with volunteers to pack the baskets. Looking for donations of clothing and toys.
The Salvation Army of Easton, 610-252-7309; Food donations.
Turning Point of the Lehigh Valley, 610-797-0530 (Contact: Alison Norton, ext. 225); Accepting donations of new items, gift certificates and food baskets for Turning Point’s “non-designated gift program.” Gifts are needed for women, teens and children. Deadline: Dec. 13.
Volunteer Center of the Lehigh Valley, 610-807-0336 (Contact: Sue Kramer 610-861-1505); “Holiday Hope Chest”: Designed to make the holiday special for homeless and disadvantaged children. Shoeboxes are filled with age-appropriate stocking-stuffer type goodies. Deadline: Dec. 6.
If You’d Like to Sponsor a Family, contact:
American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley, 610-332-1589; “Military Family Holiday Cheer Campaign;” Individuals, families, church and employee groups and organizations needed who wish to be matched with active-duty military families living in Carbon, Lehigh and Northampton counties to make the holiday brighter for the service family.
Casa Guadalupe Center, 610-435-9902 (Contact: Maria Torres); Family sponsors needed.
Daybreak, 610-820-5049; Sponsor a participant in the Daybreak program.
Easton Area Neighborhood Center, 610-253-4253; Sponsor a shelter family.
Sixth Street Shelter, 610-435-1490; Sponsor a shelter family.
South Bethlehem Neighborhood Center, 610-865-2791; Family sponsors needed.
Spring Garden Children’s Center/Third Street Alliance, 610-252-0559 (Contact: Pat Hunter); Family sponsors needed.
The Caring Place Youth Development Center, 610-433-5683 (Contact: Sally Boyer); “Christmas Angels” needed to sponsor inner city children, ages 6-18. Program ends Dec. 15.
The Salvation Army of Allentown, 610-432-0129; Family sponsors needed.
Turning Point of the Lehigh Valley, 610-797-0530 (Contact: Alison Norton, ext. 225); Family sponsors needed.
American Red Cross Valley Wide Help is a free information and referral service offering direct provision of information about social and human services. Trained information specialists use a comprehensive computerized database of more than 2,000 referral sources to identify specific organizations that may be of assistance to area residents. Accessibility of information is ensured through the availability of six dedicated telephone numbers, bilingual services to Spanish-speaking callers and a text telephone system for the hearing impaired.
Calls to Valley Wide Help are answered Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to
4:30 p.m. After 4:30 p.m. and on weekends, calls are answered through a voice mail system that offers a menu of referrals to address callers’ needs in an emergency situation. For non-emergencies, the voice mail system offers callers the option of leaving a message and requesting a return call.
The American Red Cross is a humanitarian organization, led by volunteers, that provides relief to victims of disasters and helps people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies.
The American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley serves more than 660,000 residents in Carbon, Lehigh and Northampton counties. Last year the Red Cross provided health and safety education training and emergency relief services to more than 20,000 Greater Lehigh Valley residents.
For more information or volunteer opportunities, call the Red Cross at (610) 865-4400 or visit www.redcrosslv.org.
