Shari's Update - 8/29/21

I can’t believe we will start September this week.  Time surely does fly. I hope everyone has enjoyed the summer. 
 
Just a reminder our WCHI Food Pantry will be open outside in the St John the Baptist Church parking lot, 3024 S Ruch St, Whitehall (diagonal from former Paulie’s restaurant, Coplay) next Thursday, September 9th 11am-1pm and 5:30-7:00 pm.. Please mark the date on your calendar since there are 5 Thursdays this month. To keep everyone safe, our volunteers will be wearing face masks.  We ask the guests to do the same while in the church parking lot.  Reminder: no smoking on church property.
 
Our Mission is to alleviate food insecurity in Whitehall and Coplay.  Our guests have different reasons for coming to our Pantry distribution.  All are kind and very appreciative that we are providing them with much needed food. Our demographics are comprised of all different types of households: singles, adults with or without children, multi-generational households, and seniors. Proof of residency is required: a driver’s license or utility bill.  Income limits do apply, but no proof of income is required.
 
We are here to help our community. Each guest receives 4-5 bags of dry goods like canned soup and vegetables, pasta, sauce, cereal, pancake mix, peanut butter, jelly, etc., a bag of frozen meats, a bag of refrigerated items like butter and cheese, and if needed baby and dog/cat food. Fresh produce and toiletries are distributed when available.  The bagged items change monthly.  We have never run out of food, but are available while food supplies last.
 
Our monthly numbers have increased as more people find out about us. In August we served 121 households including 179 adults, 154 children, and 78 seniors.  If you are a resident and need food, please come.  Everyone needs help sometimes in their life. We are here to help you. 
 
WCHI’s Cash Bingo starts on Sunday, September 12th at Commitment to Family & Community, 165 Cherry St near the Coplay Giant.   Please mark your calendars and call Liz Rodgers at 484-274-6687 to register so we have an idea how many people are coming.  Walk-ins are fine.  Doors open at 1pm.  Bingo starts at 2 pm.  We play 15 board games and 5 paper specials. Bring your own bingo chips and dabbers $15 includes 2 boards and corn is available. Specials are $5 a 5/pack. Food is available for purchase.  To keep our volunteers and guests safe, face masks are required except when eating. Please bring a food item for either Snack Pack Pals  https://tinyurl.com/SnackPackPals 
or for our Food Pantry https://tinyurl.com/WCHIPantryList       
 
This is just a reminder on food safety for the upcoming Labor Day weekend cookouts.  Cold foods such as potato salad should be kept under 40 degrees and hot foods should be refrigerated once they cool down to 136 degrees.  Pathogens (bacteria, viruses, and microorganisms) survive from 41-135F degrees and multiply four times every 20 minutes in the 70-125F degree range.  This is what makes people sick.  If food is held for 4 hours or more in the 41-135F temperatures, the food must be thrown out.
 
When cooking proteins, please use a food thermometer and make sure to insert in the largest part of the protein.  While cooking the different food types, see the minimum temps to make sure the thermometer reaches these:  Seafood 145F, Whole cuts of Beef and Pork 145F, Ground Beef & Ground Fish 155F, and Whole and Ground Poultry 165F.