Whitehall-Coplay Hunger Initiative was so glad the weather was clear for us to distribute food Feb. 11 to our Whitehall-Coplay guests.

We served 91 households - 59 in Whitehall and 32 in Coplay. This included 125 children, 150 adults and 55 seniors for a total for 330 people served. We had new guests, and the evening time slot saw an increase in attendance.

When telling your friends, family members and neighbors about us, the address to put in the GPS is 3024 S. Ruch St., Whitehall. Thank you to all of you who brought residents for food, those who otherwise would not be able to attend because of lack of transportation.

Food distributions are 11 a.m.-1 p.m. and 5:30- 7 p.m. the second Thursday of the month.

We have a great relationship with all our guests. Everyone thanks us for being open and providing food. One guest showed me a PPL electric bill she was going to mail after she left our site. She said she was able to pay the bill because we were able to provide food to her. We hear many stories like this and are so grateful we can offer this outreach program.

A huge thank you goes to all our fabulous volunteers, our monetary and food donors, Hokey Fire Hall members and those who help unload thousands of pounds of food from Second Harvest Food Bank weekly and all the Whitehall-Coplay School District clubs, local Catholic school clubs and Lehigh Valley businesses doing food drives for us. We could not do our programs without your support, and we are so blessed to have such a great group of interested people all working together to help our community.

Lehigh County Executive Phillips Armstrong does a weekly county webcast. He spotlighted our food distribution Feb. 11. Thank you, Phillips and Laura, who did the camera work. Please check it out at facebook.com/whitehallcoplayhungerinitiative.

When providing food to our guests, we try to offer items to prepare healthy meals. Many of those food items come from Second Harvest. We ask for public food donations to obtain food not available from Second Harvest that will round out meals and give a few snacks.

We are currently collecting food to prepare for our March 11 distribution. Please note the suggested sizes below to assist us in keeping bags manageable for distribution, including plastic, not glass, jars when possible. Your donations are greatly appreciated.

Suggested 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 any 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. Times are weather permitting.

Thank you! Your donations are greatly appreciated.