Whitehall-Coplay Hunger Initiative’s board of directors and everyone involved with the official opening of our brand-new food pantry were pleased with the great resident attendance Jan. 14. The whole mechanics of our distribution operation went seamlessly, and we had beautiful weather. The gratitude given to us that day from the residents made us all feel very proud to be part of our initiative. On Jan. 14, we provided food and toiletries to 91 households - 54 in Whitehall and 37 in Coplay - consisting of 113 children, 141 adults and 54 seniors, for a total of 308 residents.

WCHI is grateful to the following compassionate people: Jeffrey Warren for letting us know about the Lehigh County COVID-19 County Relief Block Grant; county commissioners who approved WCHI to receive the $217,757.49 grant for our pantry and garden; county Executive Phillips Armstrong for signing the contract with me; Diane Schrameyer, who wrote to tell me about Monsignor Gobitas and the school; Gobitas and Barb Sukanick, of St. John the Baptist Church, who allowed us to use the former Christ the King School cafeteria as our new pantry; Whitehall Mayor Michael Harakal Jr.; Whitehall Township zoning and permit department; Katarah Jordan and David Cool, from Second Harvest Food Bank, which provides us thousands of pounds of food at minimal cost; Michelle Khouri, with Whitehall-Coplay School District, for letting the most food-insecure households know about our opening; the public at large for the monetary and food donations; compassionate volunteers who obtained all the required clearances to work in our pantry; Coplay Public Library for doing a hat, glove and scarf drive; Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church for doing a sock drive; and Susan Meitzler, who handmade soft hats. The winter wear was also distributed Jan. 14; residents were delighted to get these items.

We encourage all of you to tell your family, friends and neighbors in Whitehall and Coplay about the pantry, which is open 11 a.m.-1 p.m. and 5:30-7 p.m. the second Thursday of the month in the parking lot behind the church, 3024 S. Ruch St. Please consider driving residents who do not have transportation.

Due to COVID-19, we must prepack and distribute food in plastic grocery bags. Please note the suggested sizes to assist us in keeping bags manageable for distribution, including plastic, not glass jars, when possible. We need the following items: applesauce cans, boxed potatoes, canned beans (baked beans, black, kidney, northern, etc., of 15 ounces), canned chicken and tuna, canned fruit, canned vegetables, regular-sized cereal boxes (10-12 ounces), Chef Boyardee (18-ounce cans), canned soup (15 ounces), granola/cereal bars, Hamburger Helper, jelly (18 ounces), macaroni and cheese boxes, oatmeal packets, pancake mix (32-ounce box), pancake syrup (24 ounces), peanut butter (16 ounces), pudding cups, chicken ramen noodles, rice (plain or flavored), rice and pasta sides, small boxes of raisins, spaghetti or pasta, Stove Top stuffing, tomato/spaghetti sauce, diapers (baby and adult), feminine products, shampoo, soap, toilet paper and canned dog and cat food.

These items can be dropped off 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays and 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Sundays at Re/Max Unlimited, 1080 Schadt Ave., Whitehall.