Whitehall-Coplay Hunger Initiative’s mission is to alleviate food insecurity in Whitehall and Coplay. I wanted to give you an overview of our current programs since we are not just a food pantry.

The pantry serves low-income Whitehall and Coplay residents from St. John the Baptist Church, 3024 S. Ruch St., Stiles.

Our food distributions take place 11 a.m.-1 p.m. and 5:30-7 p.m. the second Thursday of each month.

We currently provide outside drop-and-go bags to Whitehall and Coplay residents in the church parking lot. Identification, such as a driver’s license or current utility bill, is required.

Income limits apply. You just tell us your yearly, monthly or weekly gross income before taxes and sign a self-declaration government form. Note: There is no smoking on church property.

If you are in need of food but are not a Whitehall or Coplay resident or do not have transportation, call 484-225-0358.

We know there are many food-insecure residents in Whitehall and Coplay, and we want to provide food to them. Let your family, friends and neighbors who live in these two areas know about us. We are here to help. Many do not have transportation. Can you bring them?

We are providing shelf-stable dry food like rice, pasta, macaroni and cheese, canned tuna and chicken, canned string beans and corn, cereal, pancake mix, peanut butter and jelly and more, along with frozen meats, dairy items like butter and cheese and fresh produce.

We also provide a couple of toiletries and have a small amount of baby food and dog and cat food. Food items are subject to change.

Go to tinyurl.com/WCHIPantryList to donate needed food items. These items can also be dropped off or shipped to Shari Noctor at the Re/Max Unlimited office, 1080 Schadt Ave., Whitehall, 18052.

WCHI and the faith-based community are proud to provide free community meals to low-income Whitehall and Coplay households twice a month through December 2022.

The host location changes every time, and each will decide if face masks are required.

All are welcome to attend both meals 4-6:30 p.m. the first Sunday and third Tuesday each month.

Meals are guaranteed for the first 100 guests. Each site location will state if this is an inside or outside takeout distribution or if it is a dine-in meal. We will post site requirements on Facebook for each meal. Go to tinyurl.com/WCHIprograms for updated meals.

The next two meals: March 6, Muslim Association of the Lehigh Valley, 1988 Schadt Ave., 703-346-8698; and March 15, St. Elizabeth of Hungary Roman Catholic Church, 618 Fullerton Ave., 610-266-0695. Both are in Whitehall.

The meals April 3 and 19 and May 1 are yet to be determined. If any faith-based organization can host any of these dates, contact Shari at 610-730-8067. Otherwise, we will not be able to offer a free meal on these days.

We are hosting two more Sunday bingos this spring at St. Peter Roman Catholic Church, 4 S. Fifth St., Coplay. They are set for March 13 and April 10.

Doors open 1 p.m., and calling starts 2 p.m.

The $15 entry fee buys you two bingo boards with four games. Each additional board is $1 each, and a pack of five specials are $5. Bingo chips and dabbers are available for purchase. Masks are optional. Food is also available for purchase.

If you have questions, contact Liz Rodgers at 484-274-6687.

WCHI administers the Snack Pack Pals program with assistance from Whitehall-Coplay School District and St. Elizabeth Regional School. The mission is to combat hunger for the most food-insecure students at the schools by providing a pack of kid-friendly, easy-to-prepare meals and snacks to supplement their nutrition over school holidays and long weekends.

On average, WCHI provides 157 bags of shelf-stable food to WCSD and 10 bags to St. Elizabeth’s monthly.

We are a 100-percent volunteer organization, and WCHI could not do any of our programs without the selfless support and time of our volunteers. All volunteers must have state-required criminal background checks since we work with children.

For a full list of our requirements, visit tinyurl.com/WCHIforms. Go to tinyurl.com/WCHIvolunteer to register. Contact Sylvia at volunteerme.Lee@gmail.com with any questions.