This article is to let you know about Whitehall-Coplay Hunger Initiative’s upcoming programs and how you can help us support the community.

Cash bingo is set for Nov. 6 at St. Peter Roman Catholic Church, 4 S. Fifth St., Coplay. Doors open 1 p.m., and calling starts 2 p.m. Please bring an item for our food pantry. We need cranberry sauce, stuffing mix and instant potatoes.

For more information, call or text Liz Rogers at 484-274-6687.

WCHI and the faith-based community are proud to provide free meals to low-income Whitehall-Coplay households twice a month through 2023.

The host locations change every time. All are welcome to attend both meals 4-6:30 p.m. on the first Sunday and third Tuesday of each month.

Meals are guaranteed for the first 100 guests. Once the meals are distributed, the doors will close, and a sign will be posted on the door.

For more information, call Karen at 610-730-3184.

Upcoming meals include Nov. 6 at St. Elizabeth of Hungary Roman Catholic Church, 618 Fullerton Ave., Whitehall, call 610-266-0695; Nov. 15 at First Presbyterian Church of Hokendauqua, 3005 S. Front St., Whitehall, call 610-264-9693; Dec. 4 at Muslim Association of the Lehigh Valley, 1988 Schadt Ave., Whitehall, call 703-346-8698; and Dec. 20 at Whitehall Bible Fellowship Church, 3300 Seventh St., Whitehall, call 610-434-8661.

In October, WCHI Food Pantry served 232 households consisting of 382 adults, 318 children and 174 seniors for a total of 874 people.

We provide enough food for each person to prepare five meals a month. For October, this totaled 4,370 meals. We are here to help low-income Whitehall and Coplay residents, especially in these hard times.

To schedule an appointment for Nov. 10 or 17, call 484-225-0358.

This year, Giving Tuesday is Nov. 29. This global giving day takes place each year on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving. Following the consumer-driven holidays of Black Friday and Cyber Monday, Giving Tuesday encourages communities to do good and usher in the charitable giving season.

Monetary donations are appreciated and can be made payable to Whitehall-Coplay Hunger Initiative, c/o Shari Noctor, 1080 Schadt Ave., Whitehall, 18052. Put in the memo section where you want your monetary donation applied. WCHI is a 501(c)(3) IRS-approved nonprofit organization, and your donation may be tax deductible.

Go to tinyurl.com/WCHIprograms to review all the programs we currently offer.

Federal government programs, such as SNAP and WIC, do not allow the funds for these programs to purchase toiletry items, just food. Second Harvest Food Bank, where we get 85% of our food, also cannot purchase toiletries. For low-income residents, toiletries are very expensive.

The lack of certain items also can create some health issues. For example, baby diapers and feminine products in use too long before they are changed can cause some infections.

We are always in need of baby and adult diapers, feminine products, shampoo and conditioner, soap, tissues, toothpaste, toothbrushes and toilet paper.

Food donations are appreciated, and all donations may be shipped to c/o Shari Noctor or dropped off at RE/MAX Unlimited Real Estate, 1080 Schadt Ave., Whitehall, 18052.

Leave your food donations inside the foyer on the right, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays and 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Sundays.

Go to tinyurl.com/WCHIPantryList for a complete list of both food and toiletry needed items.

Individuals, businesses, school clubs and faith-based organizations have all done drives for us. If you are interested in doing one, go to tinyurl.com/WCHIdrive.

Amazon Smile is a way for you to support us every time you shop on Amazon. It doesn’t cost you anything and takes only a minute to set up Whitehall-Coplay Hunger Initiative as your Amazon Smile charity. Click on the Amazon Smile image to get started at whitehallcoplayhungerinitiative.org/amazon-smile.html.

Thank you to everyone in our generous community for your continued support.