Nonprofit News

The hourlong program by PBS39 comes in the wake of the closure of a homeless encampment along Jordan Creek in Allentown and the scheduled shutdown of a separate one along the Lehigh River in Bethlehem.

A Wednesday night storm brought damaging winds to the area, with gusts reaching up to 47 mph. The National Weather Service warned of damage to trees and utilities, and a wildlife center in Berks County suffered just that: A tree fell on an enclosure housing three African servals that have since escaped.

An estimated 97,000 residents in the Lehigh Valley rely on SNAP benefits, which are expected to pause on Saturday, Nov. 1. Here's how you can help.

The United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley and the Lehigh Valley Community Foundation have launched a $500,000 fundraising campaign to strengthen food access and deliver rapid relief to families in need.

In the Lehigh Valley, 105,000 people rely on SNAP benefits for food assistance. One in four of them is a child. When federal safety nets falter, the charitable food network becomes the community’s last line of defense. It requires collaboration, leadership and shared purpose.

PA Bacon Fest is back this weekend, showcasing over 150 vendors offering up bacon in just about every cuisine you can imagine.

About 400 Allentown families came to The Salvation Army for The Give Back resource event Wednesday, where they received shelf-stable food, daily necessities, and more, just as federal assistance benefits are about to be cut off.

The five-story, 78,500-square-foot facility will replace the Banana Factory as a hub for creativity and learning. The construction is expected to be completed in late 2026.

Wilson Area LINCS Coalition for Families and Youth have secured a $10,000 grant from Thrivent, beating out 155 competitors and taking about half the votes for the finalists.

The Pediatric Cancer Foundation of the Lehigh Valley held groundbreaking ceremonies for its facility expansion on Wednesday in South Whitehall Township.

The Nazareth branch of the River Crossing YMCA announced a $9 million renovation project that will begin in April 2026. The project is $1.5 million short of its goal.

Gov. Josh Shapiro's office says without the federal payments for SNAP — the food stamp program — more than $366 million in monthly benefits could be put on hold starting Nov. 1. The federal government shutdown is in its third week.

According to ArtsQuest, programming ideas for the gallery space and lounge include a partnership with Bethlehem Area School District to include adult English programs, family workshops and other cultural learning opportunities.

Wilson Area LINCS Coalition for Families and Youth has been named one of the five finalists for the $10,000 The Big Give Back, but in order to win those funds, locals will have to vote.

Low-income residents from in and around the Lehigh Valley met with UGI representatives Wednesday for assistance in managing their monthly heating bills.

Some are former residents of the camp along Jordan Creek that officials shut down hours before the shelter’s early opening last week, but many are from outside city limits, a YMCA official said.

The club’s youth, known as the Space Cadets, participated in NASA’s VIRTEX program—Virtual Field Trips to Extreme Environments—which connects students nationwide with NASA scientists through hands-on STEM learning.

The 2026 Jefferson Lehigh Valley Classic, a PGA TOUR Champions event, will be held Sept. 28-Oct. 4 at Lehigh Country Club. The 54-hole tournament will feature a field of 78 PGA TOUR Champions players.

The Northampton County Digital Navigator Coalition is broadening its reach through an AARP grant. It handed out free laptops and smartphones Wednesday during a stop in Bethlehem.

Victor Martinez of radio station La Mega 101.7-FM plans to take his Harley-Davidson Street Glide across the country and back to raise money for pediatric research and treatment.

Karl Stirner Arts Trail has confirmed a few upcoming residencies and programs, including a new building which could be used as a gallery and community space.

Safe Harbor Easton has announced that because of the state funding impasse, services soon could be impacted, but the public can help through donations and spreading awareness.