Shari's Update - 7/17/2022

WCHI is very proud to help so many Whitehall and Coplay residents!!  We opened our “Choice” Food Pantry for inside distribution in May to offer our guests the ability to choose the foods that they would eat.  Our Pantry is set up like a grocery store and we offer several food groups including canned fruits and vegetables; canned proteins like tuna fish, salmon, chicken, beans; grains like rice, pasta, cereal; ready to eat foods like beef stew, mac & cheese, canned soups; snacks; coffee; condiments; baby food; and toiletry items.  

These items were also always provided for our guests at our outside distributions.  Our volunteers packed the bagged items for each food group and transported them outside to the corresponding table.  The guests then were registered and drove through our production line in our parking lot stopping at each table where a volunteer would put the bagged items in their cars. Our hours were from 10:00-1 and 4:30-7pm.  Everyone received the same bagged food items. 

WCHI is very pleased to have our guests now come inside our Pantry.  After they are registered, a volunteer provides a shopping cart and a check off list of what foods are available that day.  The volunteer then goes with our guest as they shop through our Pantry. This is great because our guests now have the choice to select the food they will eat. Our food and toiletry selection varies monthly and is while supplies last. 

In May we registered manually as we always had since January 2021.  We were open from 9:30 straight through 7 pm.  WCHI served 236 households consisting of 357 adults, 351 children, and 151 seniors for a total of 859 people and had 25 registered new households.

In June, we served the similar amount of people as in May, but not every household comes every month.  We served 240 households consisting of 362 adults, 360 children, and 150 seniors for a total of 872 people and registered 20 new households.  In June we purchased a brand-new computer program so we can easily digitally register our guests. 

Also, before the June distribution, WCHI decided to be open on the 2nd and 3rd Thursdays of the month. Not every guest could not make the 2nd Thursday with their work schedules (some work 2 and 3 jobs).  And the days were very long for our volunteers.  Some volunteers worked 3-4 hour shifts and others worked straight through the day with a lunch break. With our new computer program, when we registered the guests in June, the guests also selected their registration time for July.

We are now open both the 2nd and 3rd Thursdays of the month from 9:30-1pm and 4:30-7pm.  Appointments are required several days before our Thursday distributions. A family member, neighbor, or friend can bring residents who do not have transportation.  We also work with mobility impaired guests who cannot walk far or do steps. You will remain in the parking lot.  We will register you and a volunteer will do your shopping. First-time guests are strongly encouraged to schedule an appointment.   A household can only come once a month. Evert time a guest attends, they need their driver’s license or picture ID and proof of residency like an electric bill. Please call 484-225-0358 with questions and/or to schedule your appointment

WCHI is fortunate to obtain most of our food needs from Second Harvest Food Bank (SHFB) and from purchases WCHI makes with public monetary donations. From January 1, 2022 - June 30, 2022, WCHI ordered and received 177,439 pounds of food from SHFB.  WCHI also receives grant money from Lehigh County and the Diocese of Allentown.  Food donations come from the public and from both faith based and civic organizations doing food drives for us. Your generosity is always greatly appreciated. 

Our Food Pantry currently needs baby food, breakfast cereal, and summer condiments like ketchup, mustard, and relish. All Donations are appreciated and may be shipped or dropped off at my Re/Max Unlimited Real Estate office, 1080 Schadt Ave, Whitehall, PA 18052. Please leave your donations inside the foyer on the right side, Monday through Friday 9am-5pm, Saturday 9am-1pm & Sunday 10am-12pm.  THANK YOU and have a great week!!

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