It gives me great pleasure to inform you that during our children’s summer feeding program - from June 16 to Aug. 4 - Whitehall-Coplay Hunger Initiative provided 1,065 bags of dry food to low-income Whitehall and Coplay children.

Some children came once, some came when they could and some came to every distribution. Typically, the Monday distribution provides a bag of food for each child in the household, from a baby through age 18, to prepare four meals, and the Wednesday distribution provides food for six meals.

Bagged food is different every day for four to five distribution days, and the food repeats over again.

What is even more significant is that, through Aug. 4, WCHI provided food for the children to make 2,755 meals to help alleviate childhood hunger throughout the summer.

Our program continues 10-11 a.m. every Monday and Wednesday at six sites in Whitehall and Coplay through Aug. 25. Whitehall and Coplay low-income children can attend any Monday and Wednesday at a site closest to their home, even if they have not come before. Please pass on this information.

Our selfless volunteers should all feel very proud. There are many hours devoted to the program and to our pantry.

Food is delivered to our WCHI pantry via food donations delivered to my office and to the Whitehall and Coplay libraries. We also pick up food weekly from Second Harvest Food Bank.

The food is unloaded at the pantry, sorted and bagged for both the children’s summer feeding program and for our pantry guests. One of the four site managers from each of the six feeding locations then comes to the pantry to pick up the food every Monday and Wednesday.

Volunteers load their cars with the bagged food and then unload any remaining food bags after the distribution is finished 11 a.m.

Vegetables are also delivered from Anne Chickilly from our WCHI garden. Anne and her husband, Erik, have been working the garden since last year. They are currently harvesting zucchini and tomatoes. Our volunteers sort the vegetables for each summer feeding program site, and the site managers give the vegetables to the children, while supplies last.

Every Monday and Wednesday, books are also provided. The children select as many books as they want to keep. This will continue through the end of our program. We were also able to offer Christmas in July gifts, thanks to toy donations from Steve Parrish at Edward Jones, Whitehall, and his clients.

The children have a great rapport with our site managers and enjoy the bagged food, fresh vegetables, books and the presents. Our volunteers and you, the public, have made a difference in these children’s lives through your time, talent and treasures. Thank you, all.

Remember, the pantry is open 11 a.m.-1 p.m. and 5:30-7 p.m. Aug. 12 for any food-insecure Whitehall or Coplay residents. Call me if you know of a homebound resident to make arrangements for you to pick up food to deliver to them.

Mark your calendar and call me to register for bingo. We are starting again Sept. 12 at Commitment to Family and Community, 165 Cherry St., Coplay. Doors open 1 p.m., and bingo starts 2 p.m.

Registration is $15, and you receive two bingo boards. Additional boards are $1 each. Please bring bingo chips or dabbers. Corn will be provided if you don’t have these. Paper specials are five for $5. Food will be available for purchase.

Please call or text me at 484-225-0358 with questions on any of the above. Have a great week!