DONATE NOW: 2024 Feed a Friend campaign now underway

Shown are  UNC’s Community Services Department Staff members: Jeffrey Ginsberg, Permanent Supportive Housing Case Manager; Emily Kuchwara, SOR Case Manager; Jessica Wallo, Director of Community Services; Katrina LaRusso, COC Community Engagement Specialist; Yvette Spann, Community Services Assistant; Natasha Villanueva Medina, Assistant Director of Community Services; Sunita Samad, Program Coordinator; and Kelcie Shaw, Rapid Re-Housing Case Manager.

United Neighborhood Centers of Northeastern Pennsylvania (UNC) is grateful to be the designated Lackawanna County WNEP Feed a Friend agency since its inaugural year in 1984. For 40 years, UNC has received non-perishable food items and monetary donations to make the holidays brighter for families in Lackawanna County.

Every year, more than 1,500 families with children in Lackawanna County rely on the Feed A Friend program for a holiday meal. As the holiday season approaches, we’re asking for your support to ensure that every family has a meal on their table. By donating, you are helping families in our community enjoy a warm meal and the joy of the season. To make a monetary donation, go to: uncnepa.org/one-time-donation/

If you are a family in need with children in Lackawanna County, you can register to receive a $50 gift card for a local grocery store. This allows families to choose items consistent with their traditions and cultures to celebrate Thanksgiving. For a complete list of locations for families to register, go to uncnepa.org/thanksgiving

UNC is coordinating with over 70 locations in Lackawanna County that collect non-perishable items for our Angel’s Attic Food and Clothing Pantry at 410 Olive Street in Scranton. For a list of participating agencies and grocery chains collecting donations, visit wnep.com/feedafriend.

Local Book Lover Makes Donation to United Neighborhood Centers

Isabella Luciani

Scranton Prep senior, Isabella Luciani, daughter of Robert and Heather Luciani of Dunmore, has had a lifelong love of reading. Through her various volunteer efforts, she has come to realize that some children are not as fortunate to be surrounded by books like she was as a child.

As a result, she has collected over 700 new and gently used books for children of all ages and donated them to Angel’s Attic, a part of Scranton’s United Neighborhood Centers.

After completing a service project this year with Project Hope, a summer camp for children of low income families also run by UNC, Isabella chose Angel’s Attic because she was inspired by the children she met.

She also liked the fact that children can go and choose their own books.

“I believe if they are able to choose their own book they will be more likely to want to read it.” Luciani said.

United Neighborhood center is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping local low-income families.