For the November Program being held on November 18 at the Montgomery Township Community Center, we are planning a panel discussion, themed on how downsizing/elimination of government aid programs impacts two local non-government organizations that serve to eliminate food insecurity in the western Montgomery County community. There will be time for questions and answers at the end of the discussion. The two panelists are Donna Halteman founder of the Bean Bag Food Program in Souderton and Steph Sharkey Administrator of the Shepherd’s Shelf Food Pantry in Kulpsville.

Panelists:

The Bean Bag Food Program, founded by Donna Halteman, aims to fill the hunger gap faced by children in the Souderton Area School District and Quakertown Community School District. The program provides weekly backpacks filled with food to help children and families in need get through the weekend. The initiative is community-driven, with all donations used to purchase food for children in the community. The program serves children from preschool through grade 12 and also provides family grocery boxes, emergency supplies, and age-appropriate reading books. The Share, Learn, Thrive series, introduced in the fall of 2023, includes a box of groceries, produce, dairy products, and proteins, along with a free breakfast for families. During breakfast, representatives from area organizations share information and activities on local resources such as food banks, libraries, childcare, banking, and education.

Steph Sharkey is the Food Pantry Administrator for Shepherd’s Shelf Food Pantry, where she oversees daily operations, volunteer coordination, and community outreach. With a strong commitment to supporting families in need, Steph ensures that the pantry runs efficiently and compassionately, providing essential resources to hundreds of local residents each month. Her work reflects a deep dedication to service, collaboration, and building community connections that make a lasting impact.

Note: there will be no Zoom link for this session, so hope you can join us in-person for an action-packed agenda.