The Zionsville Area Food Pantry is a cooperative social ministry of the Lutheran, Methodist, UCC, Mennonite and EC congregations in the Zionsville and Upper Milford communities. The pantry is open for public distribution at 5901 Kings Highway South during the following hours: 4 to 6 p.m. on the third Monday and Wednesday of each month and 10 a.m. to noon on the third Saturday of each month. To visit the pantry, park in the church parking lot of Zion’s Evangelical Lutheran Church and enter the building via the glass doors. You will be greeted by volunteers who will assist you in filling out the necessary forms.

Non-perishable food contributions can be dropped off at the church 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. If you choose to do this, check the expiration date and the quality of the item. No dented cans, open containers or past-due expiration dates can be accepted. Financial gifts can be made payable to: Zionsville Area Food Pantry, P.O. Box 200, Old Zionsville, 18068-0200.

Starting this month, the Lower Milford Township board of supervisors regular meetings will take place 7:30 p.m. the third Wednesday of each month in the township building. The supervisors will hold a workshop meeting 7:30 p.m. Feb. 4.

Following is the schedule of other Lower Milford meetings in February. All meetings are 7:30 p.m. in the township building unless otherwise noted: Historical Commission, Feb. 9; Recreation and Open Space Committee, Feb. 10.

The Upper Milford Township Open Space Committee will meet 7:30 p.m. Feb. 10. At the request of supervisors, the committee is expected to discuss the possibility of holding a referendum about imposing a small tax increase to finance township purchase of open space in order to preserve it from development.

The idea came out of discussions regarding the proposed development of the Kohler property, which had been designated as open space on the township’s comprehensive plan, but has been purchased by a developer who wants to build homes on it.

Any referendum would probably be held at either the primary or general election in 2017, not during this year’s presidential elections.

Lent begins Ash Wednesday, Feb. 10. St. Peter’s Union Church will again be holding midweek services with Huff’s Church. Each Wednesday evening there will be a supper 6 p.m. followed by the service.

The Feb. 17 service is at Huff’s and the Feb. 24 service is at St. Peter’s.

St. Peter’s will join many other local churches in observing the Souper Bowl of Caring Feb. 7, the day of the National Football League Super Bowl. Demonstrate your care for your less fortunate neighbors by dropping a donation into the soup bowl as you leave worship that Sunday.

The Upper Milford Historical Society will meet 7 p.m. Feb. 25 in the township building. This is the society’s annual sharing evening, Discovery Night. Members bring in items, stories, memories, photos, etc., of historical interest to the group. Many new, interesting facts have come out about the township and local history at these meetings. Everyone is always welcome. Refreshments will be served. For information, contact President Neil Moser at 610-966-4376.

Upper Milford Western District Fire Company will serve an all-you-can-eat breakfast 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Feb. 7 and March 6. There are senior, adult and children’s prices. For information, call the fire company at 610-966-3541 or Carol Shade at 610-966-3902.

The Ladies Auxiliary meets 7 p.m. March 2 at the firehouse. New members are welcome.

Vera Cruz senior citizens meet 1 p.m. Feb. 4 and 18 at the Vera Cruz Fire Company. All are welcome.

Upper Milford supervisors will meet 7 p.m. Feb. 4 and Feb. 18. They are scheduled to meet with the recreation commission at their Feb. 4 meeting.

The Emmaus-Upper Milford Joint Environmental Advisory Council meets 7 p.m. Feb. 22 in Emmaus.

The Upper Milford Planning Commission meets 7:30 p.m. Feb. 29.

The recreation commission meets 7:30 p.m. Feb. 15.

If you have news or information for this column, which runs the first Wednesday of every month, call me at 610-838-8923 or email me at bruce.swan@rcn.com. My deadline is the Wednesday prior to publication.