A local church has been lauded for its support of students and their families in the Northern Lehigh School District.

Superintendent Matthew J. Link publicly thanked Hope Lutheran Church at Monday’s school board meeting for their assistance during COVID-19.

“They have been great partners in our meals program since this all started,” Link said. “Recently, they have donated a check through a change drive that they conducted, a check for $638, and food donations totaling $700 for our Backpack Buddies program.

So again, Hope Lutheran Church, we thank you for the support that you’ve given to our students and their families through the school shutdowns, and through our summer meals program, and now into our fall. Thank you; it means so much for you to be able to support our students and their families like that.”

Director Mathias Green then asked how many of those meals have been served to date.

Sue Bahnick, director of food services, said that 6,908 breakfasts and lunches were served in the month of July, while 5,819 breakfasts and lunches were given out in June.

Link said he was “extremely proud of how many meals we were able to distribute.”

“So, altogether what I’m hearing is we’ve served 26,000 meals (in the summer),” he said. “Sue, congratulations to you and your team; that is utterly remarkable.”