Dozens From PennEast Pipeline Company Volunteer With Second Harvest Food Bank

PennEast Presents $2500 Grant to Help Food Bank Fight Hunger in the Lehigh Valley and Northeast Pennsylvania

PennEast Pipeline Company today gave Second Harvest Food Bank of Lehigh Valley and Northeast Pennsylvania a grant to support one of its longstanding meal programs. As the check was being presented, PennEast employees were helping the food bank with supplemental food boxes in preparation for the upcoming winter and holiday season.

The food boxes the PennEast volunteers packed were for Second Harvest’s “SUNShine Boxes” program that assists more than 2,000 local seniors citizens each month. The $2,500 grant from PennEast will support Second Harvest’s “Backpack Buddies” program which ensures that low-income children receive a backpack of nutritious food to supplement their meals during weekends and holidays.

“PennEast Pipeline Company is committed to giving back to the communities where we live and work,” said Pam Witmer of PennEast Pipeline Company. “Today we’re about two miles from the proposed PennEast Pipeline’s route. My colleagues and I are thrilled – and humbled – to support the Second Harvest Food Bank and by extension the more than 69,000 individuals Second Harvest provides food to each month.”

“Second Harvest Food Bank of Lehigh Valley and Northeast Pennsylvania significantly relies on volunteers and financial donations,” said Second Harvest Food Bank Director Paul Lynch. “We’re delighted the team from PennEast Pipeline Company could lend so many hands today. Additionally, PennEast’s generous financial support will help Second Harvest distribute approximately 17,500 meals to area families and children.”

Second Harvest Food Bank began its mission to end hunger in October of 1982 as the Lehigh Valley Food Bank. Second Harvest has grown steadily, and today it serves residents in Carbon, Lehigh, Monroe, Northampton, Pike, and Wayne counties through a network of more than 200 member agencies.

“Second Harvest Food Bank is an amazing organization that knows how to maximize every dollar they receive,” said Witmer. “Their operation and more than 65,000 square foot warehouse is another reason PennEast Pipeline Company looks forward to lowering the region’s energy bills thanks to the natural gas that will flow through the PennEast Pipeline.

“Not only will families and businesses benefit from lower natural gas and electric costs made possible by the PennEast Pipeline, but so too will community organizations such as Second Harvest. As we saw today, food banks are substantial energy users. PennEast is pleased by the help we could provide Second Harvest today and through our grant in the days ahead. And we look forward to the future assistance PennEast will be able to provide by helping the region enjoy more affordable energy,” explained Witmer.

For additional information on PennEast Pipeline Company and its community support, visit http://penneastpipeline.com/community-investment. For more information on the Second Harvest Food Bank of Lehigh Valley and Northeast Pennsylvania, visit http://www.shfblv.org.