The mission of the Whitehall-Coplay Hunger Initiative is to alleviate food insecurity in Whitehall Township and Coplay Borough.

The WCHI Food Pantry serves Whitehall and Coplay residents. Located at St. John the Baptist Church, 3024 S. Ruch St., Whitehall, the pantry is open 9 a.m.-1 p.m. and 4:30-7 p.m. both the second and third Thursdays of the month.

Our guests can only visit once a month and by appointment only. Patrons should arrive 10 minutes early. Bring your own bags, and limit appointment time changes. The pantry closes promptly 1 p.m. and 7 p.m.

First-time attendees, come to the parking lot behind the church, and a volunteer will give you directions. For our guests who have mobility issues, a WCHI volunteer will shop for you and bring the food to your car in the parking lot. Smoking is not permitted anywhere on church property.

WCHI is required by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture to register all our guests. Present two forms of ID to verify residency (a valid photo ID, if available, and/or utility bills). Thank you, in advance, for your patience.

There are income limits based on the total number of people living in the household. No income paperwork is required.

Call 484-225-0358 to schedule your initial appointment. Each month when you attend our pantry distribution, you will be given a new appointment for your next month’s visit.

The senior food box program is offered through WCHI and works to improve the health of low-income seniors (60 years and older) by supplementing diets with nutritious USDA foods. Applications are being put on a waiting list until further notice.

Call Gail, program chair, at 610-351-6412 with any questions.

WCHI is a 100% volunteer-based organization. WCHI needs volunteers to help at the food pantry. Full child abuse clearances are required to volunteer in the pantry. Go to our website and see the requirements: tinyurl.com/yck8ajzz. Once completed, they are good for five years.

The WCHI garden is located at Mickley-Prydun Farm. Volunteers are always welcome to maintain our garden, which provides fresh vegetables and herbs for our pantry guests. Call Gwen, garden chair, at 610-379-6823 with any questions.

Bingo in 2025 will be held Jan. 12, Feb. 9, March 9 and April 13 at St. Peter Roman Catholic Church, 4 S. Fifth St., Coplay. Doors open 1 p.m., and bingo will start 2 p.m. The jackpot is $200. Call Liz, bingo chair, at 484-274-6687 with any questions.

Food donations are always needed and can be delivered to the RE/MAX Unlimited office, 1080 Schadt Ave., Whitehall, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays.

Call Shari at 610-730-8067 with any questions.