About the Riverbend Food Pantry
The Riverbend Food Pantry started out as the Trinity UCC Food pantry in 2006, headed up by Woodrow “Bart” Bartholomew. When Trinity closed its doors and Riverbend bought the building, we wanted to continue the good work Trinity started. It seemed like the perfect opportunity to carry out our mission to “love the Valley.” Under the direction and guidance of Bart and his team, we trained and officially took over running the pantry in February of 2025.
The Riverbend Food Pantry serves anyone from Northampton County, but mainly our neighbors here in Bethlehem, feeding 200-300 people each month. Most of our food comes from Second Harvest Food Bank, but we also accepted donations from community members and groups like the Boy Scouts. We also buy food and toiletries to make up for any deficits we might have from those primary sources.
Upcoming Packing and Distribution Dates
Wednesday, April 9th: Distribution at 11:00am - 12:30pm (Volunteers arrive at 10:30am)
Friday, April 18th: Volunteer Bag Packing at 10am
Wednesday, April 23rd: Distribution at 11:00am - 12:30pm (Volunteers arrive at 10:30am)
Tuesday, May 6th: Food Delivery and Volunteer Bag Packing at 10am
Wednesday, May 14th: Distribution at 11:00am-12:30pm (Volunteers arrive at 10:30am)
Saturday, May 24th: Volunteer Bag Packing at 10am
Wednesday, May 28th: Distribution at 11:00am-12:30pm (Volunteers arrive at 10:30am)
Need Food?
When: 2nd & 4th Wednesday of every month
Time: 11am-12:30pm
Where: 81 E North Street in Bethlehem. Enter through the red doors on E North Street.
Who: Any resident of Northampton County
What: Please bring an ID and we can sign you up to receive assistance right away. When you sign in you will receive a number and can proceed to the waiting area. When your number is called you may have some options to choose from - then you will receive your food.
Donate Food/ Toiletries
We would gladly except the following donations:
unexpired shelf stable foods
unopened shampoo, soap, toothpaste
frozen meats
eggs
For food/toiletry donations, you may email Tabitha Lewis or call 908-291-3137 to coordinate a donation drop off.
Volunteer
We are always in need of volunteers to help unload and stock food delivered from Second Harvest, and pre-pack the dried good bags handed out on distribution days.
On distribution days, we need volunteers to check people in, carry boxes and bags of foods to clients, and fill bags with meats and eggs. We are also ALWAYS in need of Spanish speaking interpreters/volunteers to help us connect with the community members.
Email Tabitha Lewis or text 484-312-5831 if you are interested in helping or to get more details.
Contribute Financially
Financial contributions allow the Riverbend Food Pantry to purchase items needed if there is a deficit in food donations. Additionally, financial contributions go towards improving the food pantry to better serve our community.
For monetary donations, you may write checks or send money to Riverbend Community Church and put “food pantry” in the memo line or you can click to donate online below (select “Food Pantry”).