BY SHARI NOCTOR

Whitehall-Coplay Hunger Initiative president

Whitehall-Coplay Hunger Initiative Food Pantry is set to be open from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 5:30-7 p.m. Feb. 11 at 3024 S. Ruch St., Stiles.

The pantry provides food to Whitehall Township and Coplay Borough residents. We are open the second Thursday of every month. The distribution takes place in the parking lot behind St. John the Baptist Church. We may need to reschedule if we have snow.

A pantry is designed to provide three to five days of food a month to help low-income residents stretch their food dollars. We can only serve a household once a month.

Identification, such as a driver’s license or utility bill, is required.

There are household income limits based on 150 percent of the poverty rates set by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture. This income figure is based on the number of people in the household, and the guest just needs to verbally give us their yearly, monthly or weekly household gross income (before taxes are taken out).

Some people are seasonal workers and may be eligible to obtain food from our pantry. Income change may also have occurred due to a recent job layoff. This income limit is required for all state food pantries that receive state and federal food, which we obtain from Second Harvest Food Bank.

Last week, we picked up 4,209 pounds of food from Second Harvest, at a cost of $582.95, which includes baby food; canned fruits and vegetables; canned meat, stews and fish; peanut butter and jelly; and more. This week, we will pick up 2,387 pounds of frozen meats and dairy products, at a cost of $291.20, for next week’s distribution.

Second Harvest is not a grocery store and its inventory changes weekly. To obtain needed items for our food distribution, I ask for public monetary or food donations. You can also host a food drive for us.

Below are this week’s needed items, which are also listed on our website, whitehallcoplayhungerinitiative.org. Due to current COVID-19 circumstances, we must pre-pack 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.

Needed items include applesauce cans; boxed potatoes; beans, such as baked beans, black, kidney, northern, etc., in 15-ounce cans; canned chicken and tuna; canned fruit; canned vegetables; regular-size cereal boxes; Chef Boyardee, 18-ounce cans; soup, 15-ounce cans; granola or cereal bars, five to eight bars per box; Hamburger Helper; jelly, 18-ounce jars; macaroni and cheese boxes; oatmeal packets, boxes of six to 10 packets; pancake mix, 32-ounce boxes; pancake syrup, 24 ounces; peanut butter, 16 ounces; pudding cups; chicken ramen noodles; rice, one-pound bags/boxes, plain or flavored; rice and pasta sides, such as Knorr or rice packets; small boxes of raisins; spaghetti or pasta; Stove Top stuffing; tomato/spaghetti sauce, cans or plastic jars; diapers, baby and adult; feminine products; shampoo; soap; toilet paper; and canned dog and cat food.

All donations are appreciated and may be shipped or dropped off to Shari Noctor, 1080 Schadt Ave., Whitehall, 18052. I am in the Re/Max Unlimited building.

Leave your donations inside the foyer on the right side 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays and 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Sundays.

Thank you! Your donations are greatly appreciated.

Please call me if you have questions.