Lehigh Valley Food Truck Joins Judith Adele Agentis Charitable Foundation List of 60 Local Restaurant Donors
BETHLEHEM, PA (AUGUST 20, 2015 ) – On Thursday, August 20, Bob-B-Q Sliders & Sides was the first food truck to join a group of 60 Lehigh Valley restaurants with a generous weekly donation of fresh, delicious lunch for 30 family members and loved ones at St. Luke’s VNA Hospice.
September will mark 5,000 meals donated to loved one’s holding vigil at St. Luke’s VNA Hospice on behalf of the non-profit the Judith Adele Agentis Charitable Foundation (JAACF.org), says founder Bob Agentis.
Weekly Meal deliveries for Judie’s Table at VNA Hospice are accomplished by volunteers of JAACF, a Lehigh Valley non-profit founded in 2013 in memory of the late Judith Adele Agentis.
Find the Bob-B-Q Sliders and Sides Food Truck every Thursday, from 11:30 to 2:00 p.m. at 3508, Route 378.
St. Luke’s VNA Hospice, 2455 Black River Road, Bethlehem, PA 18015, just east of Route 378, Saucon Valley.
This September will mark 5,000 meals donated by participating area restaurants to St. Luke’s VNA Hospice House, on behalf of the Judith Adele Agentis Foundation (JAACF), a Lehigh Valley non-profit.
Founded in 2013, the Judith Adele Agentis Charitable Foundation has been rallying a growing list of the most notable Lehigh Valley restaurants to fill a need.
Every Thursday, JAACF founder Bob Agentis, or a JAACF volunteer, delivers with quiet honor, a buffet for 30 to 50 people. To date, the delicious lunches have included an enormous traditional Paella, steaks and seafood, seared tuna, grilled vegetables, Waldorf salads, pizza, pasta, and fixings, just to name some of the meals are a welcome respite for families holding vigil for loved ones.
“The list of donor partners has grown to 62 area restaurants, and these are some of the finest businesses in the Lehigh Valley,” says Bob Agentis, founder of JAACF. He adds, “After a business donates for the first time, they often ask, when can we donate again?”
”Generosity abounds, ” adds Agentis, whose wife of 47 years, Judith, passed at hospice house January 10th, 2013 of pancreatic cancer.
“Families don’t leave the hospice center, and it helps them feel better to be able to come over and have a nice meal and talk to others while they are here.” Judy Scott, patient care manager, at St. Luke’s Hospice House, says,
The non-profit was created in honor of the late Judith Adele Agentis, Bob’s late wife and business partner of 47 years.
When Agentis held vigil for his beloved Judith, he recalls never leaving her side, and the impact on his own health was obvious. Thus, Agentis began to deliver meals the very next week. As restaurants learned what of his mission, they asked to help out. In turn, Bob formed the foundation in honor of Judith, who died 33 days after her diagnosis pancreatic cancer.
Agentis, who earned the Heart of Hospice 2014 Award from PA Hospice Network, and the Shining Star Award from St. Luke’s Health Network, in November of 2014, is dutifully on hand, or serves as driver, all to ensure the charitable feast has reached its destination.
Just a few of the loyal local donor restaurants include; The Apollo Grill, Corked Steak and Wine Bar, Edge, Mint Gastropub, Hamilton Kitchen and Bar, Tapas on Main, Shula’s Steakhouse, and Yianni’s Taverna.
Dyanne and Rod Holt, co-owners of Apollo Grill, were one of the first to donate to Hospice families on behalf of JAACF, and their Signature Apollo Waldorf Salad; Brie, Pear and Tricolore Salad; Beef Tips with Udon Noodles; Sesame Crusted Tuna Sashimi, plus a bounty of signature salads, sides and delectable desserts are always a welcome to families holding vigil.
“This is a notable charitable foundation with an excellent mission. The foundation recognizes the need that family members here at hospice need to nourish the whole body and soul. Providing fine food is one way to help them do that,” observes Holt, who has experienced two of her own family members in hospice. “Hospice is important; they help make you ready and help make your loved one comfortable,” adds Holt.
For more information about the JAACF, established to provide meals to hospice centers and to provide testing, early detection, awareness and education about Pancreatic and Liver and Colon Cancers, visit http://www.jaacf.org/, Facebook /JAACF or Twitter @JAACF org.
Information Provided By:
Tina Bradford
