Catasauqua Community Cares Program (C3P) has partnered with the Catasauqua Area School District to be able to offer additional food resources to students in the district during the weekly food distributions.

The program is part of Second Harvest Food Bank’s Backpack Buddies program that normally sends food items home with students for breakfast and lunch each weekend during the school year.

Although C3P generally receives items for 50 students, it was serving about 175 students prior to the school closing. The program relies on both food and monetary donations to serve the additional students.

According to Lois Reed, CASD business supervisor and C3P organizer, the group was able to purchase additional food from Second Harvest since some items were not available for purchase in retail stores.

Food distributions occur 10:30 a.m.-noon every Tuesday in front of Sheckler Elementary School, 251 N. 14th St.

The district distributes breakfast packets and fresh milk for Monday through Friday and five lunch items, including fresh fruit. Additionally, families generally receive bread, peanut butter, tuna, macaroni and cheese, a canned fruit and vegetable, cereal and snacks for the weekend from the C3P program.

The program has been very fortunate to receive donations from various Catasauqua residents, church groups and nonprofit organizations.

Bimbo Bakeries recently donated more than 460 loaves of bread. After all the families who came to the lunch distribution were fed, any leftover loaves were sent to Catasauqua Community Food Bank, Holy Trinity Memorial Lutheran Church for its weekly food distributions, Catasauqua Towers and the North Catasauqua elderly apartments.

The Bagel Basket, Bethlehem, has been sending bagels and rolls to C3P for distribution as well.

Catasauqua High School’s drama department donated all the items purchased for the concession stand for the spring musical. Unfortunately, the show had to be canceled due to the pandemic, so the food was put to good use.

Catasauqua Middle School’s school store also donated any items that would have expired before the start of the 2020-21 school year.

Just before Easter, C3P members took to Facebook to ask for candy or funds, and the group was able to give bags with Easter candy and treats to the first 150 students who picked up lunches.

Lunch is prepared by district cafeteria staff and distributed by various staff members who volunteer their time. Reed noted the students enjoy seeing their teachers, principals and guidance counselors. One student said it made him feel better to see staff.

Another family shared having the school lunches not only helps the family financially, but also helps their student feel connected to the school. At a recent distribution, a parent shared she felt very lucky to have a school district that was doing so much for its students.

These food distributions are not only for students who typically receive free or reduced lunches. They are open to all students, up to age 18, who reside within Catasauqua Area School District. This includes Catasauqua and North Catasauqua boroughs and Hanover Township, Lehigh County. Please bring proof of residency when attending the food distributions.

According to Reed, the group has been getting between 220 and 250 students at the weekly food distributions, and she feels there are more who could benefit from the program.

“The district, as well as C3P, want to be sure we can assist families and give them one less thing to worry about,” Reed said.

For more information, call the district office at 610-264-5571 and leave a message or email c3P@cattysd.org.