A couple times a year, I write about being kind to others. A simple smile, holding a door open for someone or calling someone just to say hello uplift the human spirit and make their day.

Whitehall-Coplay Hunger Initiative has been so blessed with fantastic volunteers, great monetary and food and toiletry donors and a very compassionate community who work together to help us achieve our mission of alleviating food insecurity in Whitehall Township and Coplay Borough.

My quote is always “Whitehall-Coplay Hunger Initiative is making a difference in people’s lives,” and we truly are doing this!

Our community is helping our community. Everyone involved with our programs has been kind to others and has been touched in one way or another. Volunteers give their time and talents; donors give their treasures; and our guests give us smiles, tears and thankfulness that people genuinely care about them.

Everyone needs help in their lives at one time or another. Thank you all for your part in helping our community.

My favorite quote by far is from Margaret Mead: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”

Here are three others I like:

“Sometimes it takes only one act of kindness and caring to change a person’s life.” - Jackie Chan

“You cannot do kindness too soon, for you never know how soon it will be too late.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson

“Because that’s what kindness is. It’s not doing something for someone else because they can’t but because you can.” - Andrew Iskander

I frequent the Whitehall Wawa for my daily work lunch and iced coffee. I always hold the door open for someone. Sometimes, someone else holds the door for me, and I always say, “Thank you and have a great week!” Smiles are exchanged by both of us, and then I notice others witnessed this and start to do the same thing.

You, too, can make a difference in someone’s life - it’s as simple as a smile.

Be kind. Some day you may need that nice smile, a door being opened for you or food.

Our WCHI Food Pantry can always use box cereal, canned corn, peas and diced tomatoes, canned tuna and chicken, canned fruit and any kind of pasta. Would you, your businesses, social clubs, faith-based community and others consider doing a food drive for us? Any one item amount would be greatly appreciated.

All donations may be shipped to Re/Max Unlimited Real Estate, 1080 Schadt Ave., Whitehall, 18052, or dropped off 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. Leave your donations inside the foyer on the right. Monetary donations, payable to WCHI, are also accepted.