This article is a recap of Whitehall-Coplay Hunger Initiative’s children’s summer feeding program.

Thank you to everyone involved with this program. Some children attended our program once, some came when they could, and others came to every distribution. The program ran 10-11 a.m. every Monday and Wednesday at six locations from June 16 to Aug. 25.

WCHI provided 1,504 bags of food to Whitehall and Coplay low-income children - 417 bags in June, 517 bags in July and 570 bags in August. The following were the number of total bags distributed at our six locations: Cementon, 97; Coplay, 227; Egypt, 70; Fullerton, 302; Maryland Circle, 339; and Mickley Run, 469.

On Mondays, we provided food for two breakfasts and two lunches. On Wednesdays, we provided food for three breakfasts and three lunches. WCHI provided the children with 7,726 meals - 2,200 in June, 2,626 in July and 2,900 in August.

The bags of food for Mondays weighed around 4 pounds, and the bags of food for Wednesdays weighed around 6 pounds. WCHI provided 8,377 pounds of food to the children, including 651 pounds of fresh vegetables from the WCHI garden. Anne Chickilly and her husband, Erik Sagan, grew the vegetables at our garden at the Mickley-Prydun Farm.

In July, Lehigh Valley Reads, Whitehall Township Public Library and the general public provided books for the children.

Also in July, WCHI provided a toy for each child for Christmas in July. Steve Parrish, financial adviser for Edward Jones, Whitehall, hosted a client holiday appreciation party last year. His clients provided the toys, and he donated them to us for the children.

In August, WCHI supplied to each child one bag of toiletries, including tissues, soap, toothpaste, a toothbrush, shampoo, conditioner, deodorant and feminine products for the older children.

Our Lehigh County grant provided the funds for these toiletries, food and other items related to the program. Second Harvest provided the majority of the food. We had generous monetary and product donations from Whitehall and Coplay residents, faith-based organizations and businesses.

The last three Mondays in August, WCHI also received fresh vegetable donations from the Knights of Columbus at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Egypt. Second Harvest also provided fresh peaches and grapes.

We could not have provided this much-needed program without our selfless volunteers. Many people were involved with this operation, from picking up and unloading the food; sorting and packing the bags; loading and unloading cars; growing the vegetables; and serving the children.

For everyone who helped with our children’s summer feeding program, you truly made a difference in these children’s lives.