Helping Hands in the Slate Belt

Find Local Resources in the Slate Belt​

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This page is organized into two sections based on residency:

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• Pen Argyl Area School District Resources: Available to residents of Wind Gap Borough, Pen Argyl Borough, and Plainfield Township.

• Bangor Area School District Resources: Available to residents of Bangor, Roseto, East Bangor, and Portland Boroughs, as well as Washington Township, Upper Mount Bethel Township, and part of Lower Mount Bethel Township

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📌 You do not need to have a child enrolled in these school districts to access these resources—eligibility is based solely on residency within the district boundaries.

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Explore food pantries, healthcare clinics, financial support programs, and more in your community. If you know of additional resources that should be included, please reach out to Brian at bfenstermaker@caclv.org.

Pen Argyl Area School District Resources

Available to residents of Wind Gap and Pen Argyl Boroughs, and Plainfield Township

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Families First (Pen Argyl)

Families First is a partnership committed to developing a community network of support for families in the Pen Argyl School District. Providing compassionate and confidential assistance to achieve a better quality of life, we help community members with food insecurity, emergency rental or utility assistance, financial counseling, and resource and referral services. Programs include:

• Backpack Food Buddies

• Holiday Gift Assistance

• Emergency Food Boxes

• Stuff-the-Bus Thanksgiving Meals

• Kindergarten Welcome

• School Supplies

• Other families-in-need services

🔗 Visit Families First of Pen Argyl

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Additional Support & Resources

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Lehigh Valley Reads – Free tools and resources to encourage early learning, including summer programs, digital home libraries, and stress-reduction resources.
🔗 Lehigh Valley Reads Resources
🔗 Parent Power

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Needy Meds – Information on patient assistance programs, free or low-cost clinics, and state programs for medication and treatment costs.
🔗 Visit Needy Meds

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Health Well Foundation – Financial assistance for underinsured patients, covering copays, insurance premiums, and deductibles.
🔗 Visit Health Well Foundation

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Finding Your Way in PA – Resources for children and youth experiencing homelessness.
🔗 Visit Finding Your Way in PA

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Hope UCC Food Pantry – Open 1st and 3rd Monday from 5-7 PM. Must bring a Photo ID and a Utility Bill or Proof of Address.
🔗 Hope UCC Website

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John Wesley Covenant Church

• Carry-out meal service - 3rd Thursday 6-7 PM

• Give and Take Food Box – A community box where you can take what you need or leave what you can. Located outside the church.
  🔗 John Wesley Covenant Church​

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Findhelp.org – Enter your ZIP code to find local resources and assistance programs.

🔗 Visit FindHelp.org

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PA 211 East - PA 211 East is a service of United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley and the County of Northampton. It can help you find resources including (but not limited to): Utilities, Employment, Education, Child Care, Rental Assistance, and more. In addition, 211 is a contracted screening partner for the Eastern Continuum of Care for those experiencing homelessness.

🔗Visit PA 211 East 

Bangor Area School District Resources

Available to residents of Bangor, Roseto, East Bangor, and Portland Boroughs, as well as the townships of Washington, Upper Mount Bethel, and part of Lower Mount Bethel.

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Slater Family Network 

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A nonprofit foundation dedicated to collaborating with individuals and families to help them meet their basic needs. Services, including an emergency food pantry and Backpack Buddies, are free and confidential for all individuals and families of the Bangor Area School District. Families or individuals must contact the office for assistance.
🔗 Visit Slater Family Network

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Health & Wellness Resources

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Bangor Area SD Vision Voucher Program – Through America’s Best in Stroudsburg, students in need can receive a free eye exam and glasses.
To sign up: Contact your school nurse.

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STAR Dental Van – Provides free dental care for students in the Bangor Area School District. The van visits schools multiple times per month.
To sign up: Contact your school nurse.
🔗 STAR Community Health - Dental Services

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STAR Wellness Clinics – Provides affordable healthcare through sliding-scale fees for:

• Dental Care

• Primary Care & Family Medicine

• KidsCare & OB/GYN Services

• Financial Counseling & Insurance Assistance

• Care Management & Social Work
  🔗 Visit STAR Community Health

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Food Assistance & Community Support

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Portland Upper Mt. Bethel Food Pantry – Located at the Portland Social Hall, this is the largest food pantry in the region.
Open: Every Monday from 8:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Requirements: Clients must register and provide proof of residency. Food can be received every two weeks.
🔗 Visit PUMP Pantry

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Mission of Love Food Bank – Provides food and clothing to families in need.
Open: Every Tuesday from 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Requirements: Bring a photo ID and proof of address.
🔗 Visit Mission of Love Food Bank

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St. Elizabeth's & St. Joseph's Food Pantry and Clothing Ministry – A non-profit ministry offering food and clothing for the Slate Belt community.
🔗 Visit St. EJ Ministry on Facebook

 

Bender's Mennonite Church Food Pantry – Provides food assistance on the 3rd Saturday of the month from 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM.
🔗 Visit Bender’s Mennonite Church Food Pantry

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Findhelp.org – Enter your ZIP code to find local resources and assistance programs.
🔗 Visit FindHelp.org

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PA 211 East - PA 211 East is a service of United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley and the County of Northampton. It can help you find resources including (but not limited to): Utilities, Employment, Education, Child Care, Rental Assistance, and more. In addition, 211 is a contracted screening partner for the Eastern Continuum of Care for those experiencing homelessness.

🔗Visit PA 211 East