BETHLEHEM, Pa. — New Bethany Ministries hosted its 33rd Annual Souper Day fundraiser on Friday, Sept. 13, bringing together community leaders and residents to address food insecurity in the Lehigh Valley.
Attendees enjoyed soup, salad, and refreshments before engaging with a panel of local leaders, including:
- Katarah Jordan, CEO of Boys and Girls Clubs of Allentown
- Rachel Leon, Bethlehem City Councilwoman
- Michelle Kott, Bethlehem Police Chief
- Jack Silva, Bethlehem Area School District Superintendent
- Marc Rittle, Executive Director of New Bethany
“We encourage you to get involved, whether that means volunteering your time, sharing your resources, or even just spreading the word of what they are doing here,” one panelist said. “Change happens when communities come together, and we need your help to continue making a difference.”
The event highlighted the personal stories of those impacted by New Bethany’s programs. Rossella, a Single Room Occupancy program participant, shared her journey from homelessness to stability.
“Living on the street was not a joke, but I really needed some help,” she said in a video presentation. “New Bethany was a big stepping stone.”
Another testimonial came from Yumaira, a former resident of New Bethany’s Transitional Housing Program, who took in her five siblings, including an autistic brother, at the age of 20.
“Luckily, when we did get to New Bethany, the community members really did step up,” she said. “They really did accommodate us with whatever they had available.”
Crystal Williams, New Bethany’s development officer, emphasized the importance of collective action. “There’s only one way to offer hope and support, and that is to not be afraid of getting involved,” Williams said. “Today is a day to give. Today is a day to build your legacy by donating.”
The fundraiser also honored longtime volunteer James “Country” Chandler, who has been serving at New Bethany since 2011. “It makes you feel good at the end of the day that you helped somebody,” Chandler said.
In addition, Provident Bank announced the Bob Price Memorial Turkey Drive in honor of their late colleague and former New Bethany board member. The drive aims to collect 1,200 turkeys for needy families during the holiday season.
Before concluding, attendees were reminded about New Bethany’s upcoming Luminaria Night on Dec. 14, a community-wide celebration marking 27 years of being a “light in your neighbor’s darkest hour.”
In an interview after the event, Williams discussed plans to expand New Bethany’s services, including a capital campaign focused on affordable housing and further support for the LGBTQ community. “We want to end that gap and say we have everything you need,” she said.
“How do we make housing accessible for everyone? How do we treat everyone with dignity? And then how do we get everyone to be self-sufficient?” Williams added. “I think those are pillars that New Bethany is trying to uncover each step of the way.”
For more information on how to support New Bethany Ministries, visit their website.
