Souderton’s Bean Bag Food Program relocates to larger facility amid growing need

The Souderton-based Bean Bag Food Program celebrated the grand opening of its new facility Wednesday, March 5 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Hosted by the Indian Valley Chamber of Commerce, the celebration brought together volunteers, Chamber members and local dignitaries.

“It’s so amazing that we have this kind of kindness, generosity, goodness right in our backyard,” said state Sen. Maria Collett, who presented founder Donna Halteman with a citation on behalf of the Pennsylvania State Senate. “I know you’re gonna make this space into an even bigger success for the community.”

Located at 55 Cherry Lane in Souderton, the spacious facility is an enormous step up for the program, which previously operated out of a storage closet at the Zion Mennonite Church.

“When we’re here, we have room to grow. We can feed more kids. Maybe we can offer other services,” said Halteman. “It’s been great so far, and I’m excited about this new adventure that we’re all on.”

    Bean Bag Food Program founder Donna Halteman speaks at the ribbon cutting of the organization’s new facility.
 By John Worthington | The Reporter   

Founded in 2015, the Bean Bag Program provides weekend meals to food insecure schoolchildren. The name was inspired by Halteman’s trips across the global south, where rice and beans are a staple meal.

“When I was trying to come up with a name for the program, the one thing that kept coming to mind was beans and rice,” said Halteman. “They’re affordable, they’re easy to prepare, they store well and they’re nutritious.”

The program home-delivers bags of food containing meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner as well as snacks, fresh produce, milk, orange juice and chocolate milk. The goal is to fill the nutrition gap over the weekend when children are not receiving school meals, said Halteman.

“We strive to fill that weekend gap to make sure children are fed, getting nutrition and return to school on Monday ready to learn, with energy to play, do well in school and get along with other people,” said Halteman.

    Bean Bag Food Program volunteers pose for a picture.
 By John Worthington | The Reporter   

The program began by serving 20 children at the E M Crouthamel Elementary School out of the corner of a storage closet at the Zion Mennonite Church. As the years went by, donations steadily increased to meet the growing need, leading the program to eventually outgrow the space.

“We used up about half of their big storage closet. We had at least five kits of food and supplies in the foyer of the church, and then there were diapers and clothing and cereal in my home,” said Halteman. “So we pretty much exhausted every area there was.”

After spotting a “for rent” sign outside of the Cherry Lane facility, Halteman quickly jumped at the opportunity. A former office building, the space was renovated by Bergeys Electric into a warehouse, with towering wire racks of food bags lining the wall and a sizable storage area in the back of the building.

    The program provides bags of food with weekend meals to over 300 food insecure schoolchildren.
 By John Worthington | The Reporter   

Currently, the Bean Bag Program serves roughly 336 children per week from over 20 partner schools and counting. Donations come solely from the community, including local businesses, individuals, church groups and foundations.

“It’s a community program,” said Halteman, adding, “Those bags of food seem so simple. It’s food off the grocery shelf, but every time we deliver one, the children know they’re been seen, recognized and are a valued part of the community.”

While helping food insecure children, the program has also helped to uncover the extraordinary need in the community, said Souderton mayor Dan Yocum.

“Souderton is a relatively affluent community,” added Souderton mayor Dan Yocum. “People don’t necessarily think that your neighbors might be in a situation where they are hungry, and yet this organization has proven how untrue that is, how silent it is.”

    Souderton mayor Dan Yocum speaks at the Bean Bag Food Program’s ribbon cutting ceremony.
 By John Worthington | The Reporter   

In the new space, Halteman hopes the Bean Bag Program can continue growing to feed more children, with the ultimate goal of eliminating childhood hunger in the community.

“Children don’t choose the environment in which they live, so we want to make sure they have enough food to be healthy no matter what that environment looks like,” said Halteman. “Ultimately, hunger should not be a childhood memory.”

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