The Animal Food Bank of the Lehigh Valley has helped a lot of pets find food and a home. But now the Food Bank needs a new home of its own, for storage and office space.
The organization provides food and other supplies such as litter, collars, carriers, and flea and tick spray to low-income pet owners and shelters. It provides quarterly low-cost immunization shot clinics with volunteer veterinarians. They educate adults regarding the importance of spaying and neutering, and speak to students about responsible pet ownership.
The Animal Food Bank began four and a half years ago as a simple form of assistance to Trinity’s Soup Kitchen. But word has spread across the Lehigh Valley about the non-profit, and so many more needs have surfaced it is now Valley-wide. It has received support from local humane societies and shelters. In turn, the Food Bank now provides emergency distribution to these organizations with surplus food. The Food Bank now receives donations from Walmart, Phillips Feed & Pet Supply, Moyer and Son Inc., Neighbors Home & Garden Center, and Target stores.
But success has strained the Food Bank’s resources. In 2008 it served about 1500 animals, but the number has risen to between five and six thousand. The Food Bank has outgrown its present location in a building on the property of AFB President Margie Segaline.
“The last three times we had to set up tables and pack the orders outside,” she said. Preparing pickup orders in the winter cold is not much of an option for the volunteers.
On the third Thursday of every month, the individual food packages and other needed supplies are distributed at Trinity Episcopal Church, Bethlehem. Segaline said that people have come from as far as Kutztown and New Jersey. “We let them know if it is worth their while to travel,” she said, since it might not make sense economically. “We take each order phone call individually.” Calls are handled by three volunteers.
Trinity is also the location for Board of Directors meetings.
Segaline is looking for a new site of four to five thousand feet. It should be accessible by bus for low income travelers. Bethlehem, because of its central location in the Lehigh Valley, would be ideal. She hopes to get office space along with room for warehousing. She currently runs Food Bank business from her home. [By Dave Howell]
Contact for the Animal Food Bank of the Lehigh Valley: P.O. Box B, Hellertown, PA 18055 (484) 851-8000 www.animalfoodbanklehighvalley.com For Margie Segaline: margiesegaline@yahoo.com
Comments