Please check on your neighbors, families and friends. We really need the community to help each other, while maintaining safe social distancing and wearing a face mask when going out. You can also call, FaceTime, text, email and, yes, mail a letter or card to brighten someone’s day.

Pennsylvania is second in the nation for unemployment, and many of your neighbors are running low on food and are out of money. Unemployment checks have been running sometimes one to five weeks behind, and some have not yet received a check. Most people have never been in this financial situation and may be too proud to ask for help. Think about those you know who may be going through a rough time right now.

When you go grocery shopping, pick up something, especially if it is a buy-one-get-one-free deal, and put it at your friend’s or neighbor’s front door. Please do not buy refrigerated or frozen food for time and temperature safety to leave at the door. Let them know food is there.

Just a kind word, a wave or a smile also can boost morale and make someone’s day.

Whitehall and Coplay residents in need of food are encouraged to come to Whitehall-Coplay Hunger Initiative’s community outreach program food distribution 11 a.m.-noon or 6-7 p.m. May 7 and May 21 at either St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 835 Third St., Whitehall, or Redeemed Christian Church of God, 5 N. Third St., Coplay. Residents can only go to one location and only at one time. Identification is required. Nonresidents will be turned away.

On April 23, more than 500 residents were fed, including 263 children and 56 seniors. We expect the number to increase for May 7 and May 21.

A huge thank you goes to all of you who have donated your time, talents and treasures to help us and your community. How you can continue to help?

• Volunteer.

The May calendar is coming soon at signupgenius.com/go/5080f49afa623abfb6-wchisnackpackpals. Call or text me at 610-730-8067 if you cannot log on or do not have a computer.

• Purchase food.

You can have it shipped or you can drop it off at my office, Re/Max Unlimited, 1080 Schadt Ave., Whitehall. The doors are locked, so leave it in front of the left door 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday. Please do not tie bags on the front door handles. People are in the building at those times; they will see that something was dropped off and will bring the food inside. For other times, call or text me. Donations can be hand-delivered 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 835 Third St., Whitehall, at the alley door to the church where the ramp is located. We are in dire need of Jif To Go packs, individual macaroni and cheese cups, individual instant packs of oatmeal, peanut butter or cheese crackers and chicken ramen noodle bricks (not cups).

• Make a monetary donation.

Please make it payable to Whitehall-Coplay Hunger Initiative. In the memo part, put Community Outreach Program (COP) and mail to the group at 1080 Schadt Ave., Whitehall, 18052. We are a 501(c)3, and your donation may be tax deductible. One-hundred percent of all donations are going to purchase food for community outreach program distributions.

• Share from your garden.

In planting your garden this year, plant an extra row of vegetables to share with us later this summer.

• Help us with social media.

Do you have any ideas to ramp up our social media at no cost with content and practical tips?

• Contribute your ideas and expertise.

Do you have any ideas or skills we may not have thought about to further our mission to alleviate food insecurity in Whitehall and Coplay?