Souderton’s Expanding Bean Bag Food Program Moves to a Bigger Facility to Meet Rising Community Demand | NorthPennNow

The Bean Bag Food Program in Souderton has officially opened its new facility with a lively ribbon-cutting ceremony on March 5. This event, organized by the Indian Valley Chamber of Commerce, brought together volunteers, community members, and local leaders to celebrate a significant step forward for the program.

State Sen. Maria Collett praised the founder, Donna Halteman, stating, “It’s wonderful to see such kindness and generosity in our community. I know this space will thrive and make a greater impact.”

This new center, located at 55 Cherry Lane, marks a huge improvement from the cramped storage closet at the Zion Mennonite Church where the program once operated. Halteman expressed excitement about the possibilities: “Here, we can grow. We can serve more kids and possibly introduce new services.”

Founded in 2015, the Bean Bag Program aims to provide weekend meals for children facing food insecurity. The idea for the program came from Halteman’s travels in the global south, where rice and beans are common staples. In her view, "Beans and rice are nutritious, affordable, and easy to prepare."

The program delivers bags filled with meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, along with snacks and fresh produce. Halteman emphasized the importance of these meals: “We want to bridge the gap over the weekend so kids return to school ready to learn and play.”

Initially started in a small closet, the program served just 20 children at E M Crouthamel Elementary School. However, as community support grew, so did the demand. Halteman recalled, “We filled half the church’s storage closet and even used space in my home. We squeezed food everywhere!”

Finding the new space was a stroke of luck. After noticing a "for rent" sign on the former office building, Halteman quickly secured it. With renovations by Bergeys Electric, the facility transforms into a spacious warehouse, ready for the program’s needs.

Now, the Bean Bag Program serves about 336 children each week from over 20 partner schools. All of its funding comes from local donations, including support from businesses and community members. Halteman underlined the community focus of the initiative, remarking, “Every bag of food sent out shows children they are seen, valued, and part of our community.”

Mayor Dan Yocum of Souderton highlighted the surprising need for food assistance in what is generally considered an affluent area. “Many don’t realize that some neighbors are struggling with hunger. This program shines a light on that reality,” he said.

Looking ahead, Halteman envisions continued growth for the program, with hopes of eliminating childhood hunger in the area. “Children can’t choose their circumstances. It’s our duty to ensure they have enough food to thrive,” she said, emphasizing that “Hunger should not be a part of childhood."

For more on local community efforts related to food security, you can visit Feeding America, a nationwide network dedicated to combating hunger.

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