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Over 2,000 lbs. of food collected in food drive led by Representative Ryan Mackenzie in Allentown

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  Published in Food and Wine on Saturday, November 1st 2025 at 18:46 GMT by WFMZ-TV
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The Drive in Action

The food collection event took place at the historic St. Thomas Catholic Church on Main Street, a venue that has long served as a hub for community outreach in Allentown. Volunteers arrived as early as 8 a.m. on Friday, ready with sorting tables, tote bags, and a spirit of generosity that translated into a steady stream of donations. Over the course of the weekend, more than 150 individuals contributed items ranging from canned beans and rice to boxed cereals and dried fruits. The final tally—exceeding 2,000 pounds—was officially weighed by a team from the Lehigh County Food Bank, the receiving organization for the donated goods.

Representative Mackenzie opened the event with a brief speech that highlighted the collective impact of even modest contributions. “When neighbors come together to fill the shelves of a local food bank, they not only provide sustenance but also a message of hope,” he said. He urged attendees to keep the momentum going, suggesting that regular contributions could sustain the food bank’s capacity to feed families across the county.

Lehigh County Food Bank: A Critical Resource

The donated items were promptly transferred to the Lehigh County Food Bank (LCFB), a nonprofit entity that serves a broader region encompassing Allentown, Bethlehem, and Easton. The LCFB, according to its website, operates under the mission of eradicating hunger through community partnership and strategic resource allocation. The organization distributes food to over 50 partner agencies—including soup kitchens, shelters, and community centers—each of which feeds thousands of individuals weekly.

“Every pound we receive translates into meals,” explained LCFB’s director, Maria Sanchez, during a press briefing following the drive. “The volume we gathered last weekend alone is enough to supply 1,200 individual servings.” The bank’s operational model relies heavily on community philanthropy, and events like Mackenzie’s drive are pivotal in sustaining its supply chain. By collaborating with local government representatives, the LCFB is able to secure both funding and volunteer labor that expands its reach.

Representative Ryan Mackenzie: A Legacy of Service

Representative Ryan Mackenzie has long been recognized for his proactive stance on community welfare. Serving the 133rd District since 2018, he has championed initiatives focused on public safety, infrastructure improvement, and social services. The Food for All campaign, launched earlier this year, was designed to foster partnerships between the state legislature and grassroots organizations, ensuring that public policy is informed by on‑the‑ground realities.

On his official website, Mackenzie details a portfolio of outreach efforts that have included youth mentorship programs, road safety drives, and, most recently, the food‑drive initiative described here. His page underscores a philosophy that “effective leadership is rooted in serving the needs of the people.” By coordinating with the LCFB and local churches, he has positioned the drive not as a one‑off event but as a model for ongoing collaboration.

Broader Context: Food Insecurity in the Lehigh Valley

The success of the 2,000‑pound collection comes at a time when the Lehigh Valley is grappling with a steady rise in food insecurity. Recent data from the USDA’s Food Access Research Atlas indicates that approximately 10 % of residents in Lehigh County fall below the poverty line, a figure that has surged in the wake of rising living costs and pandemic‑related economic disruptions. Local food banks report that their client base has grown by 15 % over the past two years, underscoring the persistent need for community‑driven solutions.

The Allentown drive, therefore, stands as a microcosm of larger efforts to bridge the gap between supply and demand. By mobilizing a volunteer base of nearly 200 people, the event not only filled immediate logistical needs but also highlighted the potential for sustained civic engagement. Community members who participated expressed a renewed sense of purpose, with many pledging to donate regularly in the future.

Looking Ahead

The Lehigh County Food Bank has announced plans to expand its distribution network, incorporating mobile pantries that can reach underserved neighborhoods. Representative Mackenzie has pledged continued support, both in the form of public endorsement and by advocating for additional state funding that could help the bank acquire new refrigeration units and transportation vehicles.

In addition, the Food for All campaign will run a series of workshops throughout the summer, focusing on nutrition education, budget cooking, and volunteer training. These initiatives aim to empower residents not only with food but also with the knowledge to make healthier choices and to reduce dependency on emergency aid.

Conclusion

The collective effort that brought in more than 2,000 pounds of food demonstrates how local leadership, when combined with community enthusiasm, can address pressing social challenges. Representative Ryan Mackenzie’s role as a catalyst for the Allentown food drive illustrates the impact of public servants who translate policy into tangible action. For the Lehigh Valley’s residents, the event is a reminder that, even in times of uncertainty, partnership and generosity can deliver hope on a tangible scale.