Shari's Update - 1/9/22

​Reminder:  This Thursday, January 13th is our WCHI Food Pantry distribution in the parking lot at St John the Baptist Church complex, 3024 S Ruch St, Whitehall 11am-1pm and 5:30-7pm.
 
This article is to request items WCHI needs for both the Food Pantry and for Snack Pack Pals.  Faith based organization, civic groups, businesses, and a group of friends and neighbors can do a food drive Please inform us that you are a drive by registering at https://tinyurl.com/WCHIdrive
               
The WCHI Food Pantry provides monthly food distributions to those needing assistance.  Due to current COVID circumstances, we must pre-pack and distribute food in plastic grocery bags. Please note the suggested sizes to assist us in keeping bags manageable for distribution, including plastic, not glass jars, when possible. Thank you! Your donations are greatly appreciated.
 
On average, WCHI provides food to 250 households monthly.  Needed Pantry Food items include:  Boxed Potatoes 4-5 oz; Boxed Stuffing (like Stove Top) 6oz; Canned Beans – Baked beans, Black, Kidney, Northern, etc -15oz; Canned Soup - 15oz; Cereal - regular and whole grain-12oz; Chef Boyardee – 18oz Cans; Granola /Cereal Bars – 5-10 bars per box; Hamburger Helper; Mac & Cheese Boxes;  Oatmeal Packets - Boxes of 6-10 packets; Pancake Syrup - 24oz; Rice - 1 lb bags/boxes, plain or flavored; Rice & Pasta Sides – Such as Knorr Pasta or Rice Packets, Shelf Stable Milk – 32oz; and Tomato/ Spaghetti Sauce

We also need the following toiletry items: Diapers - Baby and Adult; Feminine Products; Shampoo & Conditioner; Soap; Tissues; Toilet Paper; Toothpaste; and Toothbrushes.
 
Please Note:  Food and Toiletries should be placed in separate bags.  Refrigerated, frozen, perishable or homemade items WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED due to food safety liability reasons.    
 
WCHI also fully administers the Snack Pack Pal Program (SPP) with assistance from WCSD and St. Elizabeth’s Regional School.  The mission is to combat hunger for the most food-insecure students at both schools by providing a pack of kid-friendly, easy-to-prepare meals and snacks to supplement their nutrition over school holidays and long weekends. On average, WCHI provides 157 bags of shelf-stable food to WCSD and 10 bags to St. Elizabeth’s monthly.
 
Please purchase the specific items as they provide the best nutritional value and allow us to easily label each serving with ingredients and allergen information to the ensure safety of our students. Needed SPP items:  Cereal – Whole Grain Variety Pack, Small Boxes .75-2.5oz; Sam's Club Brand Fruit Cups – Diced Peaches or Mandarin Oranges; Welches or Motts Fruit Snacks; Quaker Chewy Granola Bars; Jif to Go Peanut Butter – 1.5 oz pods; Kraft Macaroni & Cheese - Microwavable Single Serve Cups - 2.05oz; Quaker Brand Oatmeal Packets; Snack Pack Brand Pudding Cups - 3.25oz; Knorr Pasta or Rice packets; Shelf Stable Milk - 8oz; and Individually Labeled Snack Bags (Chips, Doritos, Pretzels, etc.) - 1oz
 
All food and toiletry donations are appreciated and 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, Monday through Friday 9am-5pm, Saturday 9am-1pm & Sunday 10am-1pm.   Monetary donations are also appreciated.  Please make your check payable to WCHI and put the program you want the money applied to in the memo section. Please mail to WCHI at the Re/Max address above. 
 
For our guests who receive WCHI food, Please Note: Canned items are good 5 years after their best buy date, which is only a freshness date.  WCHI does not provide cans that are dented, swollen, or rusted because they are not safe and are thrown out.  Boxed items stay good two years after their freshness date.