Shari's Update - 10/2/2022

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!!

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