This is a list of events Whitehall-Coplay Hunger Initiative has planned for October. Please share.

WCHI and the faith-based community are proud to start providing free meals to low-income Whitehall and Coplay households twice a month October through December.

The host locations change every time, and each will decide if masks are required. All are welcome to attend both meals 4-6:30 p.m. the first Sunday and third Tuesday each month. For more information, please contact me.

We are currently doing drop-and-go pickup meals at these locations: Oct. 3, Muslim Association of Lehigh Valley, 1988 Schadt Ave., 703-346-8698, mask is required; and Oct. 19, Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, 4331 Main St., 610-730-3184, mask is optional.

Bingo will be held Oct. 10 at Commitment to Family & Community, 165 Cherry St., Coplay. Doors open 1 p.m. Bingo starts 2 p.m. Masks are required unless you are on oxygen.

The cost is $15 for two bingo boards. Additional boards are $1, and we have five paper specials for $5. Food is available for purchase. Contact Liz Rodgers at 484-274-6687 with questions.

The next pantry distribution is 11 a.m.-1 p.m. and 5:30-7 p.m. Oct. 14 at the St. John the Baptist Church complex back parking lot, 3024 S. Ruch St., Whitehall.

Student and adult volunteers are needed for the pantry distribution. See tinyurl.com/WCHIvolunteer to sign up and tinyurl.com/WCHIforms to see the required clearances. Contact Sylvia Lee at Volunteerme.Lee@gmail.com with questions.

Needed pantry items include Stove Top stuffing, boxed mashed potatoes, canned potatoes, canned vegetables, cranberry sauce, canned applesauce, canned beans (baked, black, kidney, northern, etc.), canned chicken and tuna, canned fruit, canned vegetables, Chef Boyardee canned soup, granola and cereal bars, Hamburger Helper, jelly, macaroni and cheese boxes, oatmeal packets, pancake mix, pancake syrup, peanut butter, plain or flavored rice, spaghetti or pasta, tomato/spaghetti sauce, baby and adult diapers, feminine products, shampoo and conditioner, soap, tissues, toothpaste, toothbrushes and toilet paper.

WCHI is providing the Snack Pack Pals program to both Whitehall-Coplay School District (200 packs) and St. Elizabeth Regional School (20 packs). WCHI will increase packs based on need. I have enough food through the winter. The only items we currently need are rice and pasta sides, such as Knorr pasta or rice packets.

Both food and monetary donations can be shipped or mailed to WCHI c/o Shari Noctor, 1080 Schadt Ave., Whitehall, or food can be dropped at my office from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays and 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Sundays or dropped at the Whitehall and Coplay libraries. Contact me for more information.

There will be a WCHI community public meeting 11 a.m. Oct. 26 in the pantry. Masks are required. We will discuss the items above and free senior food boxes for low-income households that have one or more seniors.

Have a great week!