BY SHARI NOCTOR

Whitehall-Coplay Hunger Initiative president

Thank you to everyone who has supported Whitehall-Coplay Hunger Initiative, either through volunteering their time; informing your family, friends, neighbors and co-workers we are here to help any food-insecure households in Whitehall and Coplay; or for providing generous monetary and food donations that keep our pantry shelves stocked for monthly distributions.

We cannot accomplish our mission to alleviate food insecurity in Whitehall and Coplay without your continued support!

I want to share our 2023 monthly food pantry distribution attendance statistics with you. We are so grateful we can help many food-insecure residents. December 2023 was the highest pantry distribution ever.

January: total households, 251; children, 351; adults, 420; senior citizens, 195; total people, 966

February: total households, 249; children, 304; adults, 410; senior citizens, 180; total people, 894

March: total households, 265; children, 349; adults, 445; senior citizens, 196; total people, 990

April: total households, 260; children, 347; adults, 453; senior citizens, 192; total people, 992

May: total households, 247; children, 343; adults, 450; senior citizens, 179; total people, 972

June: total households, 244; children, 319; adults, 406; senior citizens, 187; total people, 912

July: total households, 251; children, 356; adults, 433; senior citizens, 190; total people, 979

August: total households, 252; children, 363; adults, 442; senior citizens, 195; total people, 1,000

September: total households, 266; children, 365; adults, 428; senior citizens, 215; total people, 1,008

October: total households, 268; children, 342; adults, 448; senior citizens, 195; total people, 985

November: total households, 273; children, 353; adults, 475; senior citizens, 201; total people, 1,029

December: total households, 296; children, 391; adults, 512; senior citizens, 225; total people, 1,128

I also want to compare the above 2023 WCHI pantry distribution statistics with November 2022, which was the highest distribution month for the entire 2022 year. That month, WCHI served 243 households, consisting of 320 children, 408 adults and 185 seniors. The total number of people served in November 2022 was 913.

We do have new pantry guests come every month. If you are a seasonal worker and are currently laid off, you may qualify to obtain pantry food.

Not every registered household comes every month. Some people have returned to work and no longer qualify income wise for pantry food. Others have moved out of the area or have passed away. On distribution days, some people are sick, have car troubles or get called into work. There is a myriad of reasons why people cannot make their scheduled appointments.

Our food distribution days are 9 a.m.-1 p.m. and 4:30-7 p.m. the second and third Thursdays of the month. Attendance is by appointment only. Our guests must come at their appointment time. First-time attendees must schedule an appointment and bring one form of ID to prove residency, such as a driver’s license or utility bill. Income limits do apply for the entire household.

If you have questions or need an appointment, call 484-225-0358. Due to the volume of guests we are providing food for on pantry distribution days, we do not answer the phone during distribution times.

WCHI desperately needs cereal and any kind of pasta. These can be store brands. We need at least 300 of each for every food distribution.

Would you, your businesses, social clubs, faith-based communities and others consider doing a food drive for us? Any amount would be greatly appreciated.

All donations may be dropped off between 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays at Re/Max Unlimited Real Estate, 1080 Schadt Ave., Whitehall, 18052. Leave your donations inside the foyer on the right. You can also mail your donations.

Monetary donations, made payable to WCHI, are also accepted.

Thank you, and have a great week!