I am very excited to report Whitehall-Coplay Hunger Initiative’s children’s summer feeding program provided 115 children with a bag of food June 23 - just three days into our new program.

Our goal is to feed a minimum of 500 Whitehall and Coplay low-income children - from babies through age 18 - 10-11 a.m. every Monday and Wednesday through Aug. 25. We are on target to hit our goal in July.

We have six locations, with one in Coplay and five in Whitehall. Come to the one closest to your home, and tell your family, friends and neighbors.

Visit our website for more information and the locations at tinyurl.com/WCHIhome.

The WCHI pantry is open 11 a.m.-1 p.m. and 5:30-7 p.m. July 8 at St. John the Baptist Church, 3024 S. Ruch St., Whitehall. The distribution will be held in the parking lot.

Since we are in July, we must re-register everyone who attends to update our records via USDA and Second Harvest rules. The fiscal year is July 1-June 30.

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. Identification is required.

See our WCHI garden grow! Make sure you greet Anne and Erik at the Mickley-Prydun Farm, along the Ironton Rail Trail between Center and Lehigh streets.

WCHI has a lease with Whitehall Township for the garden, and Anne and Erik are planting and maintaining the vegetables. They are growing tomatoes, zucchini, peppers, cucumbers and banana peppers for the pantry and children’s summer feeding program.

WCHI is having its first public meeting since COVID-19 shut everything down. This meeting will be 11 a.m. July 27 at the pantry. Learn more about WCHI and be part of planning future events.

We hope to begin our free community meals in September with our faith-based community members and others who can host a meal. These meals are guaranteed for the first 100 guests.

Our WCHI bingos also will be starting Sept. 12 at Commitment to Family and Community, 165 Cherry St., Coplay. Doors open 1 p.m., and bingo starts 2 p.m. More information will be provided as we get closer to the date.

WCHI is 100-percent volunteer run. To be a volunteer, go to tinyurl.com/WCHIvolunteer. You can see our requirements at tinyurl.com/WCHIforms.

As always, I’d like to thank everyone who has helped WCHI assist our Whitehall and Coplay residents. This includes, but is not limited to, the Diocese of Allentown, everyone at St. John the Baptist Church, all our faith-based organization members, Lehigh County and the commissioners who approved our two CARES grants, Second Harvest, Whitehall-Coplay School District, the Whitehall and Coplay libraries, Whitehall Township and Coplay Borough and the generous individuals and businesses who donate their time, talents and treasures to further our mission - to alleviate food insecurity in Whitehall and Coplay.

Thank you all, and have a great week!