The following information came from the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services Oct. 20.

“On Oct. 10, USDA notified states that it will be unable to fully fund November SNAP benefits because of the federal shutdown. Since its inception in 1964, the federal government has fully funded SNAP, distributing more than $366 million every month to Pennsylvania. At this time, however, no SNAP benefits will be issued until a budget or continuing resolution is passed by Congress.

“Despite the ongoing shutdown, SNAP recipients with unspent funds on their EBT cards will still be able to use these funds. SNAP benefits do not expire at the end of each month and are able to be spent for a calendar year. DHS strongly encourages SNAP recipients to keep their card locked with the ConnectEBT app or website to protect their benefits when the card is not in use.”

Whitehall-Coplay Hunger Initiative and other Lehigh Valley food pantries may see more requests for appointments. If you are a Whitehall-Coplay School District resident who needs help, call 610-442-1355 for an appointment. Income limits apply.

WCHI is open the second and third Thursdays of the month from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 4:30-7 p.m., by appointment only. We close promptly 1 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Thank you to everyone who financially supports WCHI. Second Harvest Food Bank is a major partner, and we could not operate without them.

For the period of Jan. 1-Sept. 30, WCHI ordered and received 152,803 pounds of food from Second Harvest for a value of $202,815.00. Though this seems like a lot, Second Harvest, for months now, has had a very low quantity of food choices available to order compared to other years.

Lehigh County Board of Commissioners approved a 2025 CDBG-CV $75,000 grant for food and toiletries ($72,500) and ($2,500) for marketing and a second CDBG-CV $5,780 grant for WCHI garden items.

The Trexler Trust trustees approved a $15,000 grant for food and toiletries and a second grant for $10,000 specifically for food. The Diocese of Allentown recently mailed a $5,000 check for funds obtained from its 2025 rice bowl collection. Several faith-based partners, local organizations like Whitehall Lions and Whitehall Rotary and residents support WCHI.

We are also blessed to have many organizations that host food drives for us, including Walnutport Giant, Wegman’s Allentown, Whitehall and regional Wawa managers, Good Shepherd Catholic School in Northampton, St. Carlo Acutis Regional Prep, First Presbyterian of Hokendauqua, St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, St. Peter Roman Catholic Church, Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, St. Elizabeth of Hungary Roman Catholic Church, Girl Scout Troop 6242 and many others.

Our community is working together to help WCHI feed food-insecure Whitehall and Coplay residents. In October, WCHI served 295 households consisting of 391 children, 479 adults and 238 seniors for a total of 1,108 people. This was an 11% increase from 986 people served in September. Our highest 2025 pantry attendance was 1,341 people in March.

Don’t forget to turn your clocks back on Sunday.

Have a great week, and thank you all!