New Bethany will use the money to fund nutritious food access programming.
New Bethany, a local nonprofit that provides nutritious food access, housing, and social services to under-resourced communities, received a $10,000 grant from the Martin Guitar Charitable Foundation to fund New Bethany’s nutritious food access programs, which are run through the Southside Drop-in Center and Choice Food Pantry.
“Thanks to the incredible generosity of the Martin Guitar Charitable Foundation, we can expand our reach and provide even more families with the nutritious food they need,” said New Bethany’s Executive Director Marc Rittle. “By ensuring our community members have access to healthy food, we’re not just alleviating hunger – we’re empowering people to lead fuller, more fulfilling lives.”
New Bethany recently celebrated the reopening of the Choice Food Pantry in October 2024. In providing a grocery store-like experience, guests have access to healthy and fresh food options through New Bethany. The Drop-in Center serves a hot breakfast and lunch prepared by various volunteer teams each day.
In 2024, the Drop-in Center provided 2,716 showers, offered case management to 200 people and served nearly 40,000 hot meals to over 1,000 community members. The Choice Food Pantry distributed nutritious groceries that equate to almost 230,000 meals for 2,565 individuals. The pantry received and distributed over 100,000 lbs of donated food from grocery stores, local food drives, individual donations and area farms.
New Bethany’s food access programs positively influence the community by reducing food insecurity in Lehigh Valley, and the Martin Guitar Charitable Foundation has long supported New Bethany’s work in the community.
