Rebecca Zukow-ski-Gillespie, of Catasauqua, realized her son was having a difficult time dealing with the loss of social interaction while under Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf’s stay-at-home order.

She knew if Collin, a student at Sheckler Elementary School, was affected that way, she was sure other children were as well. She asked him if he wanted to do something to cheer up children in their community by making sunshine bags. Collin said yes.

“He thought it was a fun idea, and his favorite part was ringing the doorbell when we dropped them off, and he would watch to see the kiddos grab the bags. He would then say, ‘off to the next one,’” Zukowski-Gillespie said.

Zukowski-Gillespie said the community has been very supportive, with people dropping off homemade cards, small toys, candy and more bags, so Zukowski-Gillespie and volunteers can keep making and delivering them. Her friend Lori Mattison assisted by taking totes of goodies home to sort into bags and has been making approximately 50 sunshine bags a week, in addition to the ones Zukowski-Gillespie is putting together. Volunteers have also been helping with deliveries to children outside of Catasauqua.

Catasauqua Police Department also stepped up to help after Zukowski-Gillespie contacted Officer Jenna Dumansky-Potak when she was dropping off sunshine bags prior to work one morning. The deliveries were taking longer than planned, and Zukowski-Gillespie, who owns Blondies, a Catasauqua eatery known for its cupcakes, needed to start her baking for the day. Dumansky-Potak and fellow Officer Patrick Best, the district’s school resource officers, were happy to deliver bags. According to Zukowski-Gillespie, “both do so with a big smile.”

As of press time, more than 300 sunshine bags have gone out to children in Catasauqua, Coplay and surrounding areas. Zukowski-Gillespie is also handing them out at the weekly free community meals for those who are struggling to get by, as well as at her cupcake storefront at Allentown Fairgrounds Farmers Market.

For the past few weeks, her husband, Chad Gillespie, made approximately 150 meals, and community members dropped off dishes. Pastor Brian Riedy, of Holy Trinity Memorial Lutheran Church, Catasauqua, brought pizzas by as well. Zukowski-Gillespie also used monetary donations to purchase food from other struggling restaurants in Catasauqua, and most have offered her a discount as a way of saying thank you.

Zukowski-Gillespie is accepting donations of fruit snacks, granola bars, applesauce, pudding, Jell-O packs, candy, small gift bags and little toys. Anyone who would like to help with the community meal can bring prepared food in a foil pan, and she will divide it into individual servings. Monetary donations are accepted through Venmo, @rebecca-zukowski, and will be used only to provide food to those without.

Parents have been very grateful for Zukowski-Gillespie’s dedication to giving back during these tumultuous times.

“We have received so many pictures of the children with the bags. Many parents said it was the highlight of their children’s week. Sure, they are little - not exactly fancy bags - but right now, things mean a little more. Even if it makes them smile for 10 minutes, it’s still a smile, and that’s a good thing.” Zukowski-Gillespie said.

She believes people are stronger when they work together, and though there are a lot of emotions surrounding the current circumstances, anger and fear won’t benefit anyone.

“What will help others is finding a place of unity and coming together, even if we may have different views, especially concerning politics. Also it’s been made very clear to me that it takes a village,” Zukowski-Gillespie said. “We would have never been able to help as many people as we have been if we didn’t have such amazing community members who have helped us by donations and handing out food at the community meals as well.”

The weekly community meal normally occurs on Wednesday afternoons and is located outside of Blondies at 333 Front St. Zukowski-Gillespie posts regular updates on days and times on Blondies’ Facebook page. She can also be reached by calling her shop 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Wednesdays-Saturdays at 610-443-1741.