Man posing at the South Side sale

Service & Safety

Lehigh is committed to helping South Bethlehem thrive for everyone who visits, learns, works and lives here. Through dedicated programs and active community engagement, we work alongside local organizations, businesses, and residents to enhance public safety, continuously improve our neighborhoods and build strong connections between campus and community. Together, we’re creating lasting change and shared progress.

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Sustainability and Food Security: A Vital Connection

By supporting local food systems, reducing waste, and using resources responsibly, we can build a more just and resilient future. At Lehigh and beyond, sustainable food practices are essential to fighting hunger and nurturing healthier communities for all.

Two volunteers working at a food bank

Food Banks

In South Bethlehem, Lehigh helps run a school-based pantry to combat food insecurity in a local food desert. Lehigh also supports students facing hunger through a free campus pantry offering meals, snacks, and wellness items to those in need.

Volunteers working in a community garden

Community Garden

The Lehigh Community Garden on Goodman Campus offers faculty, staff, students, and alumni space to grow nutritious food. It fosters community development, social interaction, beautifies neighborhoods, and helps preserve green space through annual and seasonal plot leases.

Two volunteers cooking

Fighting Hunger, Cutting Waste

Through the Food Recovery Network, Lehigh students help reduce food waste and fight hunger by donating surplus dining hall meals to local shelters like Victory House, advancing sustainability and community care.

 
Young child being tutored after school

A Commitment to Community Service

Lehigh students contribute 68,000+ service hours yearly in 100+ programs, with 72% participation. This engagement builds leadership, empathy, and real-world skills, creating lasting, positive impacts in the community and beyond.

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Uniting for a Brighter, Safer Future

A clean, safe environment is vital for the well-being of students, faculty, staff, and community. While city life enriches experiences, it brings health and safety challenges. Lehigh and community partners collaborate to address these issues, creating a safer, healthier future for all.

A Commitment to Service

Jason
Schiffer
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Policing in Partnership

Jason
Schiffer
|

Lehigh University Police Department | Associate Vice President of Campus Safety, Chief of Police

Policing in Partnership

Lehigh’s fully accredited department partners with local police, fire, and community organizations. LUPD focuses on community policing through student-registered homes, grants, and neighborhood patrols to keep campus and Bethlehem safe.

Learn more about LUPD
Raymond
Santiago
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Empowered Leadership

Raymond
Santiago
|

Hispanic Center Lehigh Valley | Executive Director

Empowered Leadership

Hispanic Center Lehigh Valley, since 1968, empowers Hispanic and non-Hispanic individuals with social services, community programs, and workforce development, promoting self-sufficiency, cultural understanding, and opportunity across the Lehigh Valley.

Read more about the Hispanic Center
Carolina
Hernández
|

A Recognized Change Maker

Carolina
Hernández
|

Lehigh Community Service Office | Assistant Dean, Director

A Recognized Change Maker

Carolina Hernández, recognized change maker, was honored at Girl Scouts of Eastern PA’s Take the Lead event for her leadership and dedication to empowering youth throughout the Lehigh Valley community.

Explore the Community Service Office

Building Bridges: Lehigh in the Community

Lehigh University is deeply committed to fostering meaningful connections with the Bethlehem community. Through events, outreach, and partnerships—from joyful celebrations to sustainability efforts—students, staff, and neighbors come together to make a lasting impact.

Crowd at Spring Fling event
Two female officials standing in front of a doorway
Asa the horse on patrol at Lehigh University
Woman, police officer, and small children posing in a shop
Aerial view of Bethlehem, PA