|
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!!
0 Comments
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!! |
RSS Feed