Mold Remediation in Allentown, PA

BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Christmas will be here in 25 days.

As that number ticks down, the level of anxiety grows for parents and caregivers who cannot afford to buy toys and clothing for their children, or food for their families.

Local organizations can help, but deadlines to apply for that help are approaching.

Just like any other year and even more so, many agencies say there is more need than what may be deliverable. Groups are afraid to make promises of toys that they may not be able to keep.

Where to find help with toys, clothing

Angel Tree is a popular Christmas donation initiative of The Salvation Army. While collection periods have closed, parents who wish only for toys for their children can visit the toy shop on Dec. 19 at the 521 Pembroke Road branch.

Parents who applied for help either have been called back with a date to pick up gifts and shop at the toy shop or will be contacted soon, but the toy shop will be open to parents looking for only toys. New toys will be accepted for the toy shop at any time, for walk-in shoppers not on a list.

Major Karen Peabody heads the Bethlehem branch and says close to 600 children's wishes were distributed to this year. The requests for assistance is so great this year, likely due to the cost of living, that they were still taking gift requests past the mid-November cutoff.

"There are always ones who are desperate and will come in, and of course, we'll help," Peabody said.

Call 610-867-4681 for help or visit https://easternusa.salvationarmy.org/eastern-pennsylvania/bethlehem/.

Toys for Tots Lehigh Valley is accepting request applications until Dec. 10. Recipients who have completed an application will be contacted by Dec. 15. Toy distributions will occur between Dec. 1-20:

The Lehigh Valley Chapter of The Ancient Order of Hibernians hosts “Joe's Kids Toy Party,” Sat., Dec. 7 from 2-6 p.m. at Bru Daddy's Brewing Company, 732 Hamilton St., Allentown.

Admission is $10 and an unwrapped toy. Free for kids aged 12 and under. Includes food and refreshments. The Rogue Diplomats and The O'Grady Quinlan Academy of Irish Dance will entertain.

Food pantries, soup kitchens, drives

Everlasting Life Ministries, 224 N. Sixth Street, Allentown: Holiday dinner has been taking place for over 40 years. Serving 1200 meals in a day, the meals take place 1 week before each major holiday, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter and in two settings 12:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. https://www.elmallentown.org/

Lehigh County lists 30 food pantries in Allentown, 16 in Bethlehem, 11 in Easton, and 10 in its other municipalities. Find help here.

New Bethany Ministries Southside Drop-In Center: Free dine-in brunch on Christmas Day. 341 W. Fourth Street, at the corner of 4th and Wyandotte streets. All are welcome. Christmas Day, December 25, 2024, 11:30 am to 12:30 pmGifts for the children from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm. 610-691-5602.

Pennsylvania 211: Dial 211 or text your zip code to 898-211.PA 211 is a service that provides information and referrals to essential community resources for low-income families and individuals in Pennsylvania. Find assistance with housing, food, healthcare, mental health services, utility bills and more. It is a free, confidential service available 24/7, and is available to all residents of Pennsylvania.

Second Harvest Food Bank of Lehigh Valley and N.E. Pennsylvania: https://shfblv.org/find-food/

Slater Family Network: Nonprofit foundation for individuals' and families' basic needs, free and confidential, open to the Bangor Area School District. Families or individuals must contact the office.https://slaterfamilynetwork.org/about-us

Trinity Episcopal ChurchOffers a free holiday meal on Saturday, December 18. The church is located at 234 Spring Garden Street, Easton.

Valor Clinic Foundation, 1130 Scenic Drive, Kunkletown, provides no-cost holiday meals to veteran families in crisis. Provides a complete day's meals, from breakfast to dessert after dinner. 570-664-6468 or https://valorclinic.org/contact.

This list will continue to be updated.

If you have a suggestion or resource to add to this list, please email us at news@lehighvalleynews.com and put "Holiday Help" in the subject line.

ALLENTOWN, Pa. – After several months of declining foot traffic, a well-known spot for burgers, mac and cheese and other tasty eats is set to end operations this weekend in Allentown.

Blended, a full-service restaurant offering hand-crafted food, cocktails and more, will hold its last day of business on Sunday at 27 N. Seventh St. in downtown Allentown, co-owner Gil DeGruccio said.

The restaurant is closing for a variety of reasons, with a primary one being a “steep decline in foot traffic that began in the spring,” DeGruccio said.

“We were crushing it the first half of the year, and then business just dropped off a cliff at the end of spring and in early summer,” DeGruccio said.

“We were hoping to stay open longer, but the numbers just haven’t been there to justify the continued struggle for another month. Our lease is also up at the end of the year.”

DeGruccio also cited the country's overall economic climate and less events happening in downtown Allentown as reasons for the restaurant closing.

He said that he’s also noticed less foot traffic, especially in the evening hours, following the Downtown Allentown Market’s reduced hours, which went into effect on April 1.

“It’s really sad,” DeGruccio said.

“We didn’t want to close. We have amazing staff members and amazing regulars who we are so thankful for. But we just didn’t have any other choice.”

Blended originated as blended by Brü Daddy’s in May 2021 under previous owners Rich and Kevin Ryan, who operate the nearby Brü Daddy’s Brewing Co.

DeGruccio said that he originally served as the restaurant’s executive chef before he and his partner, Eric Cutting, took over operations in 2022.

Blended’s menu features a diverse selection of made-to-order dishes, including snacks and shareables such as traditional and boneless wings, cheesesteak empanadas and truffle parm fries; cast-iron mac and cheeses such as broccoli cheddar and Buffalo chicken; and burgers and handhelds such as the “McBrayer’s Cowboy” burger (8-ounce Angus patty, shredded lettuce, jalapenos, cheddar cheese, candied bacon, bourbon BBQ sauce and onion rings on a brioche roll) and a Cali salmon cheesesteak wrap.

Popular items include the burgers, classic mac and cheese, Brussels sprouts and Buffalo cauliflower bites, DeGruccio said.

The restaurant also features a large craft beer selection.

Earlier this month, Cutting began working at another restaurant, DeGrucchio said.

Following Blended’s closure, DeGruccio plans to join the management team at Brü Daddy’s, at 732 Hamilton St.

Blended offered weekly events, including bingo, karaoke and trivia, and DeGruccio hopes to continue hosting these events at Brü Daddy’s, he said.

“I want all of our regulars to know that they’ll still be able to find me at Brü Daddy’s,” DeGruccio said. “Some of our employees are also moving to Brü Daddy’s.”

Blended will operate regular hours during its final weekend: noon to midnight (or later depending on the crowd) and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, DeGruccio said.

Food and drink specials will be offered on Sunday.

“We really want to make sure that all of our staff and regulars know just how much we appreciate them,” DeGruccio said.

“Truthfully, we have some of the greatest customers and team members in Center City Allentown, if not the entire Lehigh Valley. We wouldn’t have made it this far without them.”

Blended occupies an ArtsWalk space that previously housed other dining establishments, including Queen City BBQ and Shula’s Steak House.

DeGruccio is unsure of the future plans for the corner site after Blended closes.

City Center Investment Corp., which owns the building, is in talks with a prospective tenant seeking to occupy the space, according to Jeff Vaughan, City Center's spokesman.

"As Eric and [Gil] seek to downsize their restaurant, we wish we had available space to accommodate them," Vaughan said in a written statement.

"We wish them the best of luck, and we are in negotiations with another established restaurant group to open a new concept at this location.”