It began as a food closet in 1972. The rector or parish secretary helped some five to ten families a month. Today, Grace Community Foundation, one of only two food pantries serving the residents of urban Allentown, provides supplemental food to more than 200 ethnically, religiously and racially diverse needy families in the inner city, some 700 individuals, every month. That comes to 1800 pounds of food each week.

Every Friday morning and two Saturdays each month, people in need come to Grace Church's parish hall where hospitality is provided while they wait to be served by faithful volunteers. They are treated with respect and are given not a grab bag but an opportunity to choose what they can use from a variety of good food procured from various sources, mostly from Second Harvest.

"We serve the elderly on fixed incomes, the disabled, working families who earn minimum wages, people who stay at home to care for children or elderly parents - the poor and the disenfranchised," says Grace Community Foundation president Robert House. "We offer canned goods, fish, meat or cheese, breads, cereals, fresh fruit and vegetables, and some personal items. The people are always grateful, and their numbers increase."

The work is done by one part-time director and a support team of volunteers from Grace Episcopal Church and other downtown churches. Volunteers include clients and former clients who have received food and want to help others in return. Director Patricia McNamara tracks client usage, organizes food deliveries and distribution, leads the volunteers and develops and directs other related programs.

Grace Church has promoted a street ministry for many years, giving emergency help to people who come to our doors. During the early 1970's, Father Donald Knapp began providing for this out of his discretionary fund. When a food bank was established during the 1980's, the ministry moved from the hallway and the rector's office to the parish hall where we began serving 30 to 40 families a month. We had to appeal for outside funding and received significant help from the diocesan community, including a $10,000 grant in 1986. By 1988, the number served doubled - and more than doubled again during the next decade.

During 2001, the Grace Community Foundation served 2,147 households that included 2,426 children, 2,004 adults between 18-59 and 543 adults over 60. Over the year, its client base increased by 242 families. During 2001, the Food Bank received over 44 tons of food from Second Harvest Food Bank and a weekly donation of bread and desserts from Giant.

The people served are diverse by faith, nationality and race. Volunteers also reflect this mix. Client usage is tracked by a computer and is coordinated with other area food banks.

Grace Community Foundation has its own bylaws, an active board, and a budget separate from that of Grace Church. Its annual budget is nearly $30,000. About 70% of that comes from federal and state grants; 15% from private grants and foundations; another 15% from contributions from individuals from Grace and the community.

Director: Patricia McNamara
Email: Gracefoodbank@aol.com
Telephone: 610-435-7245