New Bethany Inc., a local nonprofit that provides nutritious food access, housing and social services to under-resourced communities, proudly marks 40 years of serving the Lehigh Valley, reinforcing its commitment to providing food access, housing, and social services to under-resourced communities.

Since its founding in March 1985, New Bethany has provided more than 1.1 million meals, supported over 2,000 residents through its housing programs and received assistance from 12,000 volunteers, helping thousands of neighbors in need.

“For 40 years, New Bethany has been a place of hope and support for our neighbors in need,” said New Bethany’s Executive Director J. Marc Rittle. “We are deeply grateful for the generosity of this community, which has enabled us to expand our programs, grow our impact, and provide essential services to thousands of individuals and families.”

As New Bethany enters its fifth decade, the organization remains dedicated to tackling food insecurity, preventing homelessness and housing insecurity, and empowering individuals to achieve stability. Through collaboration with community partners, local businesses, and generous donors, New Bethany will continue to serve as a lifeline for those in need.

New Bethany has evolved to meet the changing needs of the community while staying true to its mission of supporting individuals and families experiencing hardship. What began as a single supportive housing program for homeless families has become a multifaceted operation, offering emergency rental assistance, financial services, permanent and temporary housing solutions, and robust food access programs.

New Bethany was initially conceived as a hub for homeless services by Bishop Mark Dyer of the Episcopal Diocese of Bethlehem, who purchased the former restaurant and hotel in 1983. In 1985, New Bethany opened with a supportive housing program for homeless families.

That same year, New Bethany added a day shelter, soup kitchen and permanent adult housing program. The first Souper Day fundraiser was held in 1992, and by 1996, the Representative Payee program was initiated.

In the first decade of the new millennium, New Bethany doubled the number of Representative Payee clients served and the number of hot meals served to families nearly tripled its yearly donations, and grew its food pantry services to 3,400 grocery baskets distributed per year. During this period, New Bethany hosted the first Spring Against Hunger appeal, received the first corporate sponsors for Souper Day and assumed operations for Luminaria Night.

In the past five years, New Bethany has prevented over 3,000 households from homelessness via emergency rental assistance. In 2020, the Supportive Housing Program temporarily expanded into 20 rooms at the local Comfort Suites to accommodate the surge in need for New Bethany’s services.

Additionally, New Bethany partnered with Provident Bank and the IronPigs of Lehigh Valley to expand its annual Thanksgiving Turkey Drive. Over 800 turkeys were collected in 2020, and more than 1,600 in 2024.

In October 2024, New Bethany’s Choice Food Pantry launched a grocery store model following a year and a half of renovations. The renovations were undertaken following New Bethany’s survey of every person who had used its food pantry to understand the unmet needs of neighbors.

The project was a community effort funded through grants from national, state, county and city sources, as well as assistance from local foundations and trusts. Updates to the space included a new grocery store-like experience where community members can choose items from the shelves and refrigerators themselves. These items are carried in shopping carts or hand-held baskets before being bagged and taken home.

Looking ahead, New Bethany will expand its ability to house, heal and help neighbors in Bethlehem and the Lehigh Valley. This will include additional supportive housing options, a health hub where providers can provide on-site mental and physical health services, and community services such as drug and alcohol counseling, budgeting workshops, nutrition education, and more. All put together, these community supports will move people from hunger and homelessness into food and housing security.

To learn more about New Bethany’s 40 years of impact, explore ways to support its mission, or get involved, visitnewbethany.org.

Contributed article