You are invited to attend Whitehall-Coplay Hunger Initiative’s public meeting 11 a.m. Sept. 28 in our food pantry located in the school building at the St. John the Baptist Catholic Church complex, 3024 S. Ruch St., Whitehall.

Park in the back parking lot, walk down the driveway, and come in the second door on the left. We will be discussing our food pantry, free community meals, senior boxes, volunteer opportunities and bingo.

I wanted to write an article that both our pantry guests and the public can use to make a casserole from ingredients on hand in your homes. Many of these items are in our pantry distribution bags. This article came from University of Nebraska Extension, tinyurl.com/dae4s47h. Scroll down the page to view.

Select food(s) from each category or choose your family favorites.

• Select one grain: 2 cups dry pasta (elbow macaroni, penne, spiral, bow tie); 1 cup dry long-grain white or brown rice; or 4 cups dry medium or wide noodles

• Select one protein: 2 cups cooked ground meat; 2 cups cooked and diced chicken, turkey, ham, beef, pork or tofu; 2 cups chopped cooked egg; 2 cans fish or seafood, flaked: or 2 cups canned, rinsed or cooked dried beans (kidney, pinto, black, etc.)

• Select one vegetable: 1 package frozen, thawed and drained spinach, broccoli, green beans or peas; 1 or 2 cans drained and rinsed mixed vegetables, carrots or corn; or 2 cups sliced fresh zucchini, kale, tomatoes, potatoes or squash

• Select one sauce: 1 can condensed cream soup (mushroom, celery, cheese or chicken) mixed with milk or water to make 2 cups; 2 cups white pasta sauce; or 1 can diced tomatoes with juice

• Select one or more seasonings: half to a quarter cup chopped celery, onion or olives; 1-2 teaspoons mixed herbs (basil, thyme, marjoram, tarragon); pepper and spices to taste

• Select one or more toppings: 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese; half to a quarter cup shredded Swiss, cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese; or half to a quarter cup bread, cracker or cereal crumbs

Directions:

• Wash hands. Cook grains according to package directions.

• Spray a casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray, and combine all ingredients in dish, except topping.

• Cover and bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about 50-60 minutes or until internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit and casserole is steaming hot throughout.

• Add toppings if desired and place in oven, uncovered, for about 10 minutes.

For more recipe ideas, visit https://snaped.fns.usda.gov and select nutrition education.

Julie Davitt is a WCHI board member and is Penn State University nutrition education adviser for Lehigh and Northampton counties. WCHI would like to schedule a series of nutritional classes in Whitehall and Coplay. Contact Julie at jbd14@psu.edu or 610-391-9840 for further information.