Shari's Updates - 6/27/21

I am very excited to report that WCHI’s Children’s Summer Feeding Program provided 115 children with a “drop and go” bag of food on June 23rd just 3 days into our new program!!! Our goal is to feed a minimum of 500 Whitehall and Coplay low income children (a baby through age 18) every Monday and Wednesday 10-11 am (including July 5th) through August 25th. We are on target to hit out goal in July.  We have 6 locations – one in Coplay and 5 in Whitehall.  Please come to the closest one to your home and tell your family, friends, and neighbors to come to one of our sites. We are here to help. Click here for more info and the locations.
 
Just a reminder, that our Pantry will be open next Thursday, July 8th in the parking lot of St John the Baptist Church, 3024 S Ruch St, Whitehall from 11:00-1pm and 5:30-7:00 pm. Please expects long lines.  Since we are in July, we must re-register everyone who attends to update our records via USDA and Second Harvest rules.  Their fiscal year runs July 1st- June 30th.  Our Pantry serves low income Whitehall and Coplay residents. We provide food to many different types of households, including individuals, adults with or without children, and seniors.  All are welcome.  ID is required (valid driver’s license or utility bill).
 
See our WCHI garden grow!!  Please say hi to Anne and Erik when you are on the Ironton Rail Trail between Center and Lehigh Streets at the Mickley-Prydun Farm.  WCHI has a lease with Whitehall Township for the garden and Erik and Anne are having so much fun planting and maintaining the vegetables. They are growing tomatoes, zucchini, peppers, cucumbers, and banana peppers for our Pantry and our Children’s Summer Feeding Program, while supplies last.
 
WCHI is having our first public meeting since Covid shut us and everyone else down in March 2020.  This will be on Tuesday July 27th at 11 am in our Pantry, 3024 S Ruch St, Whitehall.  We hope to begin our Free Community Meals in September with our Faith Based Community members and others who can host a meal, which is guaranteed for the first 100 guests.  Please mark your calendars and be part of our upcoming meeting.  You will also learn more about WCHI.
 
Our WCHI Bingos also will be starting on September 12th at Commitment to Family and Community, 165 Cherry Street, Coplay.  Doors will open at 1 and bingo starts at 2.  Please mark your calendars.  More info will be provided as we get closer to the date.
 
WCHI is 100% volunteers and all of us enjoy working with our Whitehall and Coplay residents and friends. You can volunteer too!! Click here and you can see our requirements. Also, please like us on Facebook and visit our website frequently for the latest news. I personally think the website looks fantastic!!!
 
As always, I like to thank all our selfless volunteers and everyone who has helped WCHI assist our Whitehall and Coplay residents.  This is not limited to but includes the Diocese of Allentown, everyone at St John the Baptist Church, all our Faith Based organizations members, Lehigh County and all the Commissioners who approved our two CARES grants, Second Harvest, everyone at WCSD, Whitehall and Coplay Libraries, Whitehall Township and Coplay Boro, and a myriad of many, many generous individuals and businesses who donate their time, talents, and treasures to further our Mission, which is “To alleviate food insecurity in Whitehall and Coplay.”  Thank you all and have a great week!!