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The WCHI Food Pantry provides monthly food distributions to low-income Whitehall and Coplay residents. Unfortunately, food costs continue to rise and there are many supply issues. WCHI is so grateful for Second Harvest Food Bank (SHFB)!! They provide us with approximately 90% of our food. As of 12/15, their pantry available inventory was dramatically reduced to 137 total food and non-food items. Most of the food is free to Food Pantries like ours. SHFB serves 200 Agencies in 6 counties. Of the 137 items available, 42 of these are “purchase” items, which are at a reduced cost than we can purchase from the grocery store. The number of available food items that we would order is sharply reduced from January 2022 and the purchase program has increased 31% of this week’s available inventory. Some items we will order, and others are of no interest to us for our guests. We are also a Healthy Pantry, so we like foods that are not sugary and salty, though we do provide some of these items occasionally. Because of the rising food costs, current supply chain issues, and the limited supply of foods available now through Second Harvest, I am strongly requesting that individuals, businesses, and faith-based organizations to PLEASE host food drives for WCHI as soon as possible WE ARE CURRENTLY IN NEED OF THE FOLLOWING FOOD ITEMS: Boxed mashed potatoes Canned beans -- black, chickpeas, lentils, lima, red kidney, string beans (anything to make meals with) Canned fruit (except applesauce) Canned tuna, salmon, chicken Canned pasta such as Chef Boyardee, Beefaroni, Ravioli Canned soups other than cream of mushroom, cream of chicken, and vegetable Cereal -- non-sweet cereal like Cheerios, Rice Krispies Condiments (ketchup, mayonnaise, mustard, relish) Ground Coffee Hamburger Helper Mac and Cheese Boxes Oatmeal Packets Boxes Pancake Mix Pancake Syrup Peanut Butter 1lb Rice bags/boxes; plain or flavored Rice & Pasta Sides – Such as Knorr Pasta or Rice Packets Soup varieties including Chunky soups (no vegetable or cream of mushroom/chicken needed) Stove Top Stuffing Tomato/ Spaghetti Sauce – cans or plastic jars **All food items above can be store brands. ** WE ARE CURRENTLY IN NEED OF THE FOLLOWING TOILETRY ITEMS: Baby and Adult Diapers Feminine Products Men’s and Women’s Razors Men’s Shaving Cream Shampoo & Conditioner Soap Toothpaste Toothbrushes DOG AND CAT FOOD We need to get our own source of dog and cat food. Donations are always welcome. Pets are very important household members. I don’t want any guest having to give their pet away (like they did with the 2008 market crash) because they can no longer provide food due to increased prices. A couple Pantry Guests have told us that they are sharing the people food they receive from WCHI so that their dogs and cats have food. If you know of a local company or pet store that can donate free dog and cat food, please let me know ASAP. Thank You. All Donations are appreciated and may be shipped 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 8:30 AM- 5PM, Saturday 9AM-1PM & Sunday 10AM-1PM. |