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Community Corner

Animal Food Bank of the Lehigh Valley Needs Help

A fundraiser will be held Wednesday night in Bethlehem Township

With some households currently struggling to put food on their tables, the pets of low-income owners are often the first to be neglected. Fortunately, however, the Animal Food Bank of the Lehigh Valley is up to the challenge of feeding these needy four-legged friends.

Located in the Fowler Family Center of Northampton Community College at 511 E. 3rd St., Bethlehem, the food bank is operated completely by a team of volunteers, including its president, Hellertown resident Margie Segaline.

“We are a refuge for pets and their families that otherwise might be separated because of financial cost,” Segaline said. “It’s our aim to keep animals fed and keep them out of shelters.”

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Created six years ago by bank president Margie Segaline’s teenage daughter through the Trinity Episcopal Church of Bethlehem, the food bank was one of the first of its kind in the nation. It now assists similar food banks across the country in getting started, as the need for such facilities has grown since the U.S. was plunged into an economic recession.

Through the efforts of generous corporate and individual donors, the Animal Food Bank distributes approximately 2,000 pounds of pet food to needy area households a week. The non-profit organization now feeds an estimated 1,400 area pets each month.

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Segaline estimated that the need has increased twenty-fold since the economic downturn began. Despite the fact that donations have decreased 25 percent in the last year, the food bank has been able to provide for all its recipients, and distribute some of it surplus to other area non-profits.

Currently the food bank is looking for a new home outside the Fowler Family Center that can house its office and all its resources in a more accessible location.

Corporate donors such as Walmart of Quakertown and Phillips Feed & Pet Supply provide much of the pet food in its pantry, but other items like treats and grooming supplies are donated by individuals or bought with monetary donations.

The food bank operates primarily with donated equipment, and was recently donated a pallet jack to assist volunteers with moving heavy supplies.

“We definitely have an angel on our shoulder,” Segaline said.

The Animal Food Bank holds several fundraisers throughout the year, including regular events at the Wendy’s and McDonald’s in Hellertown. On Wednesday, from 5 to 9 pm, the Texas Roadhouse at Rt. 33 and Freemansburg Avenue in Bethlehem Township is hosting a fundraiser and will donate 10 percent of sales from guests who bring food bank flyers available at the food bank or its web site.

Apart from providing basic necessities, the food bank also holds public pet vaccination clinics with the help of volunteer veterinarians, and organizes educational programs for local youth.

Last year, the food bank started its “Pet Smarts” initiative that aims to integrate pet education into area schools and other educational programs. It distributes activity books that highlight the fact that pets are major responsibilities.

“We discovered that there was really no pet education in the schools, which is unfortunate considering how many kids have pets at home,” Segaline said. 

For more information about the Animal Food Bank of the Lehigh Valley, call 484-851-8000. Office hours are from 10am to 4pm on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

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