I have exciting news to share with you.  But first, I want to let you know there will not be a Free Community Meal on New Year’s Day.  The next meal will be on January 17th.  And we do have bingo at St Peter Roman Catholic Church on January 8th. Doors open at 1 pm. More info on both will be shared next week.
Food insecurity has been around worldwide forever.  In 2014 WCHI worked towards alleviating food insecurity in Whitehall and Coplay.  In 2015, there was a Lehigh Valley wide food insecurity meeting held at Sacred Heart Hospital.  Whitehall Mayor, Ed Hozza at the time, and I were invited with around 100 Lehigh Valley people attending.  I became part of the LV Food Policy Council (LVFPC) and serve on the Food Access Work Group.  I have worked ever since with Susan Dalandan and several other amazing people who want to help end food insecurity.
This info now comes from Susan Dalandan, Coordinator of LVFPC, and from Governor Wolf ‘s office through a press release from emails sent to me this week. I am sharing portions of the info since my article must remain short.
From Susan, “LVFPC has much to be proud of in our past seven years of work. Our task forces and work groups remain committed to working together. They continue to bring new partners to the table in addressing problems in the Lehigh Valley food system and continue to influence regional and state policy.
We are so excited about the final accomplishment of this year! Former Executive Director of Pittsburgh Food Policy Council, Dawn Plummer, and LVFPC Coordinator, Susan Dalandan, wrote the position paper for Governor Wolf and Secretary Redding on the creation of a state-wide food policy council. We are so happy that, after long fourth quarter negotiations with the Governor’s office and the legislative office of the Department of Agriculture, Governor Wolf announced the creation of a state food policy council. This will further the work of the Department of Agriculture and the state’s commitment to a strong food system in Pennsylvania.”
From Governor Wolf and the press release: In an action finalizing his legacy of support to improve access to food for all Pennsylvanians, Governor Tom Wolf today (December 15th) signed an executive order creating the Pennsylvania Food Policy Council. 
“Food is a basic human right that has the power to change lives,” said Gov. Wolf. “This Food Policy Council will work for the people of Pennsylvania; to improve their everyday lives and our collective future. It is our responsibility and our duty to take hunger off the table.”
The Pennsylvania Food Policy Council will build on this progress through continued evaluation of the issues facing Pennsylvania’s food system and developing strategies to improve food security and nutrition while reducing food waste. The duties of the council – which will include a director along with the secretaries of the departments of Aging, Agriculture, Education, Environmental Protection, Health, Human Services, and Labor & Industry – will include: 1. Making recommendations to promote coordination, communication, and joint planning between agency programs and external partners in the private sector to support the food system. 2. Developing recommendations on improved partnerships to better reach those at the highest risk of hunger and expand food and nutrition delivery systems. 3. Developing recommendations to reduce food waste across Pennsylvania. 4. Developing and implementing strategies to expand the use of Pennsylvania agricultural products in public and private food assistance programs. And 5. Developing a Food Action Plan to be updated on a biennial basis and include a strategic plan to accomplish goals and measure progress.
From Shari, I am so thrilled that we now have a Pennsylvania Food Policy Council so we all can work together statewide and locally to alleviate food insecurity. This is great news.  What a wonderful way to end 2022 and start 2023!! 
Happy New Year!!

​

As we get closer to the end of 2022 and enjoy this holiday season, all our amazing volunteers and I wish to extend our appreciation to everyone who has given WCHI their time, talents, and treasures to help us feed so many people this year.  It has been a very busy and great year for WCHI.  

Just to give you data on the guests we have helped throughout the year (our numbers do change monthly), in January 2022 we served 230 households comprised of 366 adults, 364 children, and 110 seniors for a total of 840 people.  We strive to provide food to make 5 meals per person, which totaled 4,200 meals.  In November 2022, we served 243 households comprised of 408 adults, 320 children, and 185 seniors for a total of 913 people.  WCHI provided food for 4,565 meals.  December is still ongoing.

Please note that for the households who receive food, the number of items given is based on the total number of people living in the household. WCHI is a choice Pantry so our guests choose the foods that they will eat. Each household can select from canned fruit and vegetables; protein like canned tuna, chicken, salmon, beans & peanut butter; rice/pasta; ready to eat foods like Chef-Boyardee: cereal; grains; condiments; coffee; snacks; baby food; refrigerated food like milk, eggs, & cheese; frozen food; fresh produce; and personal hygiene products.  Sometimes we have dog and cat food.  All items are while they are available and while supplies last. 

Unfortunately, food costs continue to rise and there are many supply issues.  WCHI is so grateful for Second Harvest Food Bank (SHFB)!!  They provide us with approximately 90% of our food.  As of 12/15, their pantry available inventory was dramatically reduced to 137 total food and non-food items.  Most of the food is free to Food Pantries like ours. SHFB serves 200 Agencies in 6 counties.  Of the 137 items available, 42 of these are “purchase” items, which are at a reduced cost than we can purchase from the grocery store.  The number of available food items that we would order is sharply reduced from January 2022 and the purchase program has increased 31% of this week’s available inventory.  Some items we will order, and others are of no interest to us for our guests.  We are also a Healthy Pantry, so we like foods that are not sugary and salty, though we do provide some of these items occasionally.

Because of the rising food costs, current supply chain issues, and the limited supply of foods available now through Second Harvest, I am strongly requesting that individuals, businesses, and faith-based organizations to PLEASE host food drives for WCHI as soon as possible.  Recently, Good Shepherd Catholic School, Northampton; Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, Whitehall; Taylor Villas (a housing subdivision in Whitehall); Changes for Hair (a salon next to Charles Pizza), and Whitehall Twp (organized by Melanie Pries, Twp Human Recourses officer) did December food drives that provided WCHI with much needed food. This food was provided to our guests this week. And WCHI just received from Scouts BSA Order of the Arrow (Boy Scouts) 250 pounds of dog and cat food!!  THANK YOU everyone with your donations!!

Food items WCHI needs: Canned fruit except applesauce; canned chicken, peanut butter; canned pasta (Chef Boyardee, ravioli, beefaroni), red kidney beans, rice, non-sweet cereal like Cheerios, Rice Krispies; soup varieties including Chunky soups (no vegetable or cream of mushroom/chicken needed), condiments: ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise.   Also, if you know of a company that can donate free dog and cat food, please let me now asap.

WCHI also accepts monetary gifts of any size. WCHI needs to deposit your check by 12/31/22 to possibly be a 2022 tax deduction. WCHI is 501(c) (3) IRS approved nonprofit organization and your donation may be tax deductible.  Please discuss with your financial advisor. 

All Food and Monetary Donations are greatly appreciated and may be shipped, dropped, or mailed to Shari Noctor, 1080 Schadt Ave, Whitehall, PA 18052. Please leave your dropped food donations inside the foyer on the right side, Monday through Friday 8:30 AM- 5PM, Saturday 9AM-1PM & Sunday 10AM-1PM. The Whitehall-Coplay.

Thank you all for helping WCHI and have a great week!!

​

​This article is to let you know about WCHI’s upcoming WCHI programs & how you can help us support our community.
 
WCHI CASH BINGO:  Sunday, November 6th at St. Peter’s Roman Catholic Church, 4 S. 5th St., Coplay. Doors open at 1 pm Calling starts at 2 pm.  Please bring an item for our Food Pantry! We need cranberry sauce, stuffing mix, & instant potatoes!  For more info, call/text Liz Rogers 484-274-6687
 
FREE COMMNITY MEALS:  WCHI and the Faith Based Community are proud to provide these 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 on the 1st Sunday and 3rd Tuesday each month from 4:00-6:30PM.  Meals are guaranteed for the 1st 100 guests. Once the meals are distributed, the doors will close, and a sign will be posted on the door. For more info, call Karen 610-730-3184
•             Sunday, November 6th, St Elizabeth’s Roman Catholic Church, 618 Fullerton Ave, Whitehall, 610-266-0695
•             Tuesday, November 15th, First Presbyterian of Hokendauqua, 3005 S. Front St., Whitehall, 610-264-9693
•             Sunday, December 4th, Muslim Association of the Lehigh Valley (MALV), 1988 Schadt Ave., Whitehall,703-346-8698
•             Tuesday, December 20th, Whitehall Bible Fellowship Church, 3300 7th St., Whitehall, 610-434-8661
 
WCHI FOODS PANTRY: In October we served 232 households consisting of 382 adults, 318 children, and 174 Seniors (age 60+) for a total of 874 people.  We provide enough food for each person to prepare 5 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 November 10th or 17th, please call 484-225-0358.
This year, GIVING TUESDAY, will fall on November 29, 2022. 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 ushers in the charitable giving season. 
 
MONETARY DONATIONS: are appreciated and can be made payable to the Whitehall-Coplay Hunger Initiative, C/O Shari Noctor, 1080 Schadt Ave, Whitehall, PA  18052.  Please go www.tinyurl.com/WCHIprograms to review all the programs we currently offer. Please put in the memo section where you want your monetary donation applied. The Whitehall-Coplay Hunger Initiative is a 501(c) (3) IRS approved nonprofit organization and your donation may be tax deductible
 
TOILETRY DONATIONS: We always need:  Baby and Adult Diapers, Feminine Products, Shampoo & Conditioner, Soap, Tissues, Toothpaste, Toothbrushes, and Toilet Paper. 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.  And the lack of certain items also can create some health issues i.e. baby diapers and feminine products in use too long before they are changed causes some infections. See below in Food Donations where the toiletries can be shipped or dropped off.
 
FOOD DONATIONS: are appreciated and may be shipped c/o Shai Noctor or dropped off at RE/MAX Unlimited Real Estate, 1080 Schadt Ave, Whitehall, PA 18052.  Please leave your food donations inside the foyer on the right, Monday through Friday 9AM- 5PM, Saturday 9AM-1PM & Sunday 10AM-1PM.  We need cranberry sauce, stuffing mix, and instant mashed potatoes. Please go to https://tinyurl.com/WCHIPantryList for a complete list of both food and toiletry needed items.
 
Food/Toiletry Drives:  Individuals, Businesses, School Clubs, and Faith Based Organizations have all done drives for us.  If you are Interested in doing one, please go to https://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! Just click on the Amazon Smile image to get started! www.whitehallcoplayhungerinitiative.org/amazon-smile.html    
 
Thank you to everyone in our generous community for your continued support. 

I wanted to write an article on VOLUNTEERING since this is so important for a community.  Many people have time and talents they can offer. 

WCHI is 100% volunteer. We have 64 dedicated, selfless volunteers who really enjoy working with each other and helping our low-income residents obtain one of life’s necessities– FOOD.  Without our Volunteers, WCHI could never fulfill our mission of alleviating food insecurity in Whitehall and Coplay.  A huge THANK YOU is extended to EVERONE who helps WCHI.  Due to increasing food, gas, rent, childcare, & medicine costs, WCHI had our largest Pantry turnout in September Feeding 887 residents.  October is not finished yet, but our pantry distribution was just as busy.  WCHI can always use more volunteers.  Learn more at https://tinyurl.com/WCHIvolunteer                          
 
I found this Benefits of Community Service article from Western Connecticut State University and wanted to share some of it with you https://tinyurl.com/9wsz5utf  They use the word VOLUNTEERING numerous times. To save character space in this article, I will use (V).

“#1: (V) connects you to others - One of the better-known benefits of (V) is the impact on the community. Unpaid (V) are often the glue that holds a community together. (V) allows you to connect to your community and make it a better place. Even helping out with the smallest tasks can make a real difference to the lives of people in need. And (V) is a two-way street: It can benefit you and your family as much as the cause you choose to help. Dedicating your time as a volunteer helps you make new friends, expand your network, and boost your social skills.

One of the best ways to make new friends and strengthen existing relationships is to commit to a shared activity together. (V) is a great way to meet new people, especially if you are new to an area. (V) also strengthens your ties to the community and broadens your support network, exposing you to people with common interests, neighborhood resources, and fun and fulfilling activities.

(V) increases your social and relationship skills.  While some people are naturally outgoing, others are shy and have a hard time meeting new people. (V) gives you the opportunity to practice and develop your social skills, since you are meeting regularly with a group of people with common interests. Once you have momentum, it’s easier to branch out and make more friends and contacts.

#2: (V) provides many benefits to both mental and physical health. (V) can provide a healthy boost to your self-confidence, self-esteem, and life satisfaction. You are doing good for others and the community, which provides a natural sense of accomplishment. Your role as a volunteer can also give you a sense of pride and identity. And the better you feel about yourself, the more likely you are to have a positive view of your life and future goals.

(V) combats depression.  Reducing the risk of depression is another important benefit of (V).  A key risk factor for depression is social isolation. (V) keeps you in regular contact with others and helps you develop a solid support system, which in turn protects you against stress and depression when you’re going through challenging times. 

(V)  helps you stay physically healthy. (V) is good for your health at any age, but it’s especially beneficial in older adults. Studies have found that those who volunteer have a lower mortality rate than those who do not, even when considering factors like the health of the participants. (V) has also been shown to lessen symptoms of chronic pain or heart disease.

#3: (V) brings fun and fulfillment to your life. (V)  is a fun and easy way to explore your interests and passions. Doing volunteer work, you find meaningful and interesting, can be a relaxing, energizing escape from your day-to-day routine of work, school, or family commitments. (V) also provides you with renewed creativity, motivation, and vision that can carry over into your personal and professional life.”

I hope you found this article informative and would consider volunteering with WCHI.  Have a great week!!

​

WCHI’s Mission is: To alleviate food insecurity in Whitehall and Coplay. If you, a family member, or friend needs food, please call 484-225-0358 and talk with us.  Everyone needs assistance some time in their life.  There is no shame in needing food.  I always say, NO ONE should ever be hungry in this country.  We are here to help you.

Over the summer, WCHI anticipated an increase in the need for food this fall by Whitehall and Coplay low-income residents due to high food, gas, and rent prices. WCHI’s Pantry is open the 2nd and 3rd   Thursday of every month from 9:30-1pm and 4:30-7:00pm by appointment.  Each household can only attend our Pantry once a month. We consistently add new households every month. And not every registered household attends every month.

In September, we had record attendance. Last Thursday, October 13th, our Pantry was the busiest we have ever been.  We served 121 households consisting of 175 children (baby- age 17), 210 adults (age18-59), and 90 seniors (60+) for a total of 475 people. A huge Shout Out THANK YOU is extended to each one of our dedicated volunteers.  They worked non-stop all day that very rainy day.  

Our second food distribution is this Thursday, October 20th.  We are also expecting another day of record attendance. We have all our reservation time slots scheduled for the entire day.  Note: WCHI does not turn anyone away who needs food and who meets the mandated financial income limits. A valid driver’s license or picture ID along with proof of residency is required. We sometimes have cancellations due to people’s work schedules changing, new doctor’s appointments, etc.  Please call to make schedule an appointment.

We also need to have a Spanish and Arabic interpreter help us at our distributions.  If you can help, call 484-225-0358.

I also wanted to thank everyone who has been making food, toiletry, and monetary donations.  In preparing for the upcoming holidays, WCHI is collecting the following food items: Boxed Mashed Potatoes, Cranberry Sauce, Gravy, Stove Top Stuffing.  Can your faith-based organization, civic organization, club, or business also do a food drive for us for these items?

We also could use Canned Pasta such as Chef Boyardee, Beefaroni, Ravioli, Canned soups other than cream of mushroom, cream of chicken, and vegetable, Canned beans – black, lima, lentils, chickpeas, kidney, string beans (anything to make meals with), Condiments (ketchup, mustard, relish), Ground Coffee, Hamburger Helper, Mac and Cheese Boxes, Oatmeal Packets Boxes, Pancake Mix, Pancake Syrup
1lb Rice bags/boxes; plain or flavored, Rice & Pasta Sides – Such as Knorr Pasta or Rice Packets
Tomato/ Spaghetti Sauce – cans or plastic jars.   Additionally, we also in need of feminine pads and liners.  

All Donations are appreciated and may be shipped or dropped off at Re/Max Unlimited Real Estate
1080 Schadt Ave, Whitehall, PA 18052. Please leave your donations inside the foyer on the right, Monday through Friday 8:30 AM- 5PM, Saturday 9AM-1PM & Sunday 10AM-1PM.

Thank you and have a great week!!

​

I wanted to provide our readers with different food resources available to you in the Lehigh Valley.

WCHI Food Pantry is here to help all low-income residents in Whitehall and Coplay with both our Food Pantry monthly distributions and our new Senior Box Program.  This Senior Box Program provides an additional 35 pound of food for eligible Seniors (60+) though our Pantry.  To schedule a pantry appointment, call 484-225-0358.  For Senior Box info, call Gail 610-351-6412. 

WCHI sometimes has dog and cat food available for our pantry guests.  The Animal Food Bank of the Lehigh Valley, 860 Broad St, Emmaus also provides dog and cat food. For more info, call 610-421-8014.
For other food Panties in the Lehigh Valley, this link will take you to the list of Pantries who work with Second Harvest Food Bank https://shfblv.org/findfood/ 

We also work with Meals on Wheels of the Greater Lehigh Valley Their priority is to help homebound residents. 610-691-1030   https://mowglv.org/services/ 

I wanted to give a little more info on SNAP and WIC. Many people are not aware of these programs.

SNAP The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program helps Pennsylvanians buy food. People in eligible low-income households can obtain more nutritious diets with SNAP increasing their food purchasing power at grocery stores and supermarkets. Those who are eligible receive an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) ACCESS Card to make food purchases.

Did you know that many college students are eligible for financial aid to assist with paying for college? Consider SNAP your food aid to help you focus on school and stay healthy.  SNAP benefits help increase food budgets, allowing you to afford nutritious options including fruits, vegetables, organic foods, and more. More detailed info is at www.tinyurl.com/3kt2cam4  

SNAP income limits have just changed recently to help more people.  Please contact either Kathryn Hoffman at 484.821.2406 or Vanessa Morel at 484.821.2405, SNAP Outreach Coordinators, at Second Harvest Food Bank for more information.

WIC The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) has helped Pennsylvania families since 1974. WIC helps pregnant women, mothers and caregivers of infants and young children learn about good nutrition to keep themselves and their families healthy. It provides nutrition services, breastfeeding support, health care and social service referrals and healthy foods to eligible participants.  Lehigh County: 1-866-942-8463 Northampton County: 1-866-942-8463

For other food resources, please go to the Lehigh Valley Food Policy website 
https://lvfpc.org/individual-food-resources/ 

There are many food resources available here in the Lehigh Valley.  I wanted to provide awareness and information about them. Please utilize them, if needed, and share this info with others.

Have a great week.

​

This article is on some of our WCHI Programs- Cash Bingo, Free Community Meals, Choice Food Pantry, and Senior Boxes.  A huge thank you goes out to all our dedicated volunteers who make all our Programs run effortlessly.

CASH BINGO - This Sunday, October 9th, WCHI will be hosting a cash bingo at St Peter Roman Catholic Church, 4 S. 5th St, Coplay.  Bingo will also be held on November 6th (1st Sunday).  There is no bingo in December.  We will start up again on January 15th.  Doors will open at 1pm and bingo starts at 2pm.  St Peter’s kitchen will be open with fabulous food available for purchase. Please bring a food item for our Food Pantry. List of needed items are at the end of this article. 

The $15 entry fee buys you 2 bingo boards with four games.  Each additional board is $1 each and a pack of 5 paper specials are $5. We play 15 board games and 5 paper specials. Bingo chips and dabbers are available for purchase. For more info, call Liz Rodgers, Program Chair, 484-274-6687

FREE COMMUNITY MEALS – WCHI will hold a public meeting on Tuesday, October 18th at 11 am at our Pantry, 3024 S Ruch St, Whitehall for faith-based organization and other businesses who wish to host a free community meal in 2023. The meals are held the 1st Sunday and the 3rd Tuesday of the month from 4:00-6:30pm and are guaranteed for the 1st 100 guests.   
The host site decides on the food they wish to serve, provides the food, prepares, and serves the meal. Prior to Covid, all the meals were served inside the host location.  We are starting to get back to inside sit-down meals, though take-out meals are up to the individual host site. 
WCHI has been providing these free meals since 2015.  Our low-income community looks forward to these meals for both a hot, delicious meal, but more importantly, for the socialization of meeting with new and old friends. We serve all age groups. FYI, many seniors get dressed up and view these meals as a special night out. 
Thank you to both the Muslim Association of the Lehigh Valley (MALV) who hosted a meal on Sunday, October 2nd and to Redeemed Christian Church of God, 5 N 3rd St, Coplay who will hosting the next one on Tuesday, October 18th.   For more info, call Karen Haberern, Program Chair, 610-730-3184
CHOICE FOOD PANTRY –We are located at St John the Baptist Church Complex, in the Christ the King School, 3024 S Ruch St, Whitehall. Our Pantry is open on both the 2nd and 3rd Thursdays of the month from 9:30am-1pm and from 4:30-7pm.  This is by appointment only and we close promptly at 1pm and 7pm.  Income limits apply and proof of residency is required.  Call 484-225-0358 for more info and to schedule your October appointment.
SENIOR BOXES – are available to our Pantry guests (age 60+) who qualify for an additional 35-pound food box, which includes: non-fat dry and shelf-stable fluid milk, juice, oats, ready-to-eat cereal, rice, pasta, dry beans, peanut butter, canned meat, poultry, or fish, and canned fruits and vegetables. Income limits are lower than Pantry food limits. If you financially qualify for a Senior Box, the paperwork will be completed during your Pantry visit. Once you are approved for the program, your Senior Box will be delivered to your home the following month. For more info, call Gail, Program Chair, 610-351-6412.

NEEDED PANTRY FOOD ITEMS - Canned pasta such as Chef Boyardee, Beefaroni, Ravioli; Canned soups other than cream of mushroom, cream of chicken, and vegetable; Canned beans – black, lima, lentils, chickpeas, kidney, string beans (anything to make meals with); Condiments (ketchup, mustard, relish); Ground Coffee, Hamburger Helper, Mac and Cheese Boxes, Oatmeal Packets Boxes, Pancake Mix, Pancake Syrup, 1lb Rice bags/boxes plain or flavored, Rice & Pasta Sides – Such as Knorr Pasta or Rice Packets, Tomato/ Spaghetti Sauce – cans or plastic jars.  We are also starting to collect food items for Thanksgiving: Boxed Mashed Potatoes, Cranberry Sauce, and Stove Top Stuffing.

All product and monetary donations are appreciated and may be dropped off, mailed, or shipped to WCHI c/o Shari Noctor at Re/Max Unlimited Real Estate, 1080 Schadt Ave, Whitehall, PA 18052. Office is open M-F 8:30-5, Sat 9-1 and Sun 10-1.   Thank you and have a great week!!

​

Hi everyone,
 
Second Harvest Food Bank of the Lehigh Valley and Northeast PA (SHFB) provides WCHI with most of the food that we serve our Pantry guests. From 1/1/22-9/24/22, SHFB has provided WCHI with 107,126 pounds of food including dry and canned goods, refrigerator and freezer items, and fresh produce. Unfortunately, there have been many supply chain issues and food prices continue to rise. SHFB is not a grocery store, their inventory changes, and we don’t always have items we would like to give our guests.  
 
The rest of our Pantry food comes from the public’s generous monetary & food donations.  Local faith-based organizations, school clubs, and businesses host food drives for us  https://tinyurl.com/WCHIdrive   I am asking everyone to please continue providing WCHI with your support.
 
The WCHI Pantry is currently in need of several types of dry pasta except for elbow macaroni; canned pasta such as Chef Boyardee, Beefaroni, ravioli; hamburger helper; boxes of mac & cheese;  1lb Rice bags/boxes; plain or flavored, Rice & Pasta Sides – Such as Knorr Pasta or Rice Packets, canned or plastic jars of Tomato/ Spaghetti Sauce; canned soups other than cream of mushroom, cream of chicken, and vegetable; any kind of canned beans – black, lima, lentils, chickpeas, kidney, string beans (anything to make meals with); condiments i.e. ketchup, mustard, relish; boxes of cereal, pancake mix, pancake syrup, boxes of oatmeal packets; and ground coffee.  We are also starting to collect food items for Thanksgiving:  Stove Top Stuffing, Boxed Mashed Potatoes, and Cranberry Sauce. The food items can be store brands.  
 
All Donations are appreciated.  Food may be shipped to or dropped off at, Re/Max Unlimited Real Estate
1080 Schadt Ave, Whitehall, PA 18052.  Please leave your donations inside the foyer on the right side, Monday through Friday 8:30 AM- 5PM, Saturday 9AM-1PM & Sunday 10AM-1PM. Monetary donations can be mailed to the address above payable to WCHI or Whitehall-Coplay Hunger Initiative.
 
I like to support Second Harvest as they support WCHI. The following is on SHFB’s annual fundraiser, Empty Bowls, which my husband and I have attended many times. I hope you will participate and join us at this year’s event on October 22, 2022 from 6-9 pm in Second Harvest’s Food Warehouse, 6969 Silver Crest Rd, Nazareth (1 mile east at the light at Phillips Feed store on Rte. 512 before you enter Bath).
 
Second Harvest Food Bank works to end food insecurity by providing nutritious food to its community, offering nutrition education, advocating to end food insecurity, dismantling barriers to create access and working to attain food justice. Second Harvest distributes food to six counties across Pennsylvania: Carbon, Lehigh, Monroe, Northampton, Pike and Wayne. Second Harvest is a proud program of Community Action Lehigh Valley.
 
Empty Bowls gives community members the opportunity to enjoy a night out all while experiencing the magnitude of their warehouse and learning about the critical work they do to feed families. 6:00 pm Reception with open bar and hors d’oeuvres; 7:30 pm Dinner catered by Sodexo; 7:45 pm Award presentations.
 
This year’s goal is to raise $100,000 to aid in the fight to end food insecurity in the communities they serve.  It’s their biggest fundraiser of the year! Empty Bowls features live music, delectable food, a silent and live auction, and the opportunity for you to support the work they do at Second Harvest. 
There are sponsorship opportunities available. If interested, please contact Nicole Folino at 484.821.2401 or [email protected]  Sponsorships come with ticket entry to the event or tickets may be purchased separately here: https://tinyurl.com/45bnw3au
 
Thank you and have a great week!!

You know I always write about food safety for our warm National Holidays.  I want to make sure you have a relaxing Labor Day weekend and do not become sick because of something easily avoidable. This info comes directly from Food Safety Training & Certification: Food Safety for Your Labor Day Party.   https://tinyurl.com/hu84je26 

“Summer’s almost over and it’s time to plan for one last long weekend party. Grill masters, make sure you don’t forget your food safety practices before firing up the grill one last time for the season and avoid food illness. But remember, it’s still warm – so that presents increased food safety dangers. Bacteria multiply faster at temperatures between 40°F and 140°F, which makes the basics of food safety especially important. Savor the end of summer with good food and friends – and not a foodborne illness.

Labor Day is a U.S. national holiday held on the first Monday of September and pays tribute to the contributions and achievements of American workers. For most though, it marks the last weekend to enjoy summer and the start of the new school year.

So, if you’re rolling out the grill for the last weekend of the summer, be sure to also roll out your grilling food safety principles and procedures when cooking outdoors.

Clean:  It seems basic, but not everyone does it. Wash hands well and often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after using the bathroom and before cooking or eating. If you’re in an outdoor setting with no bathroom, use a water jug, some soap, and paper towels. Consider carrying moist disposable towelettes for cleaning your hands.

Separate: Keep raw food separate from cooked food. Don’t use a plate that previously held raw meat, poultry, or seafood for anything else unless the plate has first been washed in hot, soapy water. Keep utensils and surfaces clean.

Marinate food in the refrigerator, not out on the counter.  And if you want to use some of the marinade as a sauce on the cooked food, reserve a separate portion. Don’t reuse marinade that contained raw meat.

Cook food thoroughly: To kill any harmful bacteria that may be present, use a food thermometer. Color alone does not guarantee safe food because food browns very fast. The only way to know whether meat is grilled to a safe internal temperature is to insert a food thermometer into the center of the food.

Grilling Like a PRO: P = Place the thermometer in the center of the food on the grill to record an internal temperature.  R = Read the temperature. Safe temperatures are Hamburgers, ground meats – 160° F; Chicken, poultry – 165–180° F; Medium-rare steak – 145° F; Medium steak – 160° F; Well-done steak – 170° F; Reheating cooked meats (e.g., hot dogs) – 165° F (or until steaming hot). O = Off the grill. Place the cooked food a clean plate

Chill: Refrigerate and freeze food promptly. It can be hard to remember while a party is going on, but food should not be left out of the cooler or off the grill for more than two hours. Never leave food out for more than one hour when the temperature is above 90°F.

Keep food covered when you’re not eating it to prevent insects from making a snack of your meal. Bugs pick up germs on their feet and bodies and then deposit those germs wherever they land. If you see an insect crawling on your food, throw that piece away.”

I hope you found this information interesting and useful. Have a wonderful holiday weekend!!

​