Food pantry helps kids get back to school ready

Rice Krispies Treats and ice pops weren’t the only goodies bringing smiles to children’s faces during West End Food Pantry’s distribution on Saturday.

It was also the music room full of free backpacks, pencils, notebooks, binders and other school supplies, as well as the community room with seven hairstylists giving free haircuts to children and adults.

“They are able to pick a backpack and fill with a lot of goodies to kick them off for that first day of school,” said Karena Thek, director of West End Food Pantry.

All the bags and supplies were donated by residents, local businesses and organizations. It is an example of neighbors helping neighbors.

There were piles of bookbags to look through and each child could choose one. Some were one color, while others were multicolor or had vivid designs. Mountains of single-subject notebooks were on another table surrounded by boxes of pencils and bins of markers. There was a lot to select from throughout the room.

“I picked out pencils, erasers, markers and this bag. It’s like a rainbow,” said third-grade student Annamae DeVore, regarding her backpack with zigzag lines in purple, teal, bright pink and blue.

Seven hairstylists donated their time and talent to give haircuts and a quick style to children and adults.

“I’ve been doing hair for 35 years,” said Lisa Hauser, who works at Milano Styling Salon in Coplay.

This was her first time doing hair at the food pantry, but not her first time giving out free haircuts. Years ago, she was part of a Christmastime event where kids got haircuts and visited with Santa.

“I am looking forward to helping the community today,” said Alyssa Leon, a recent graduate of Metro Beauty Academy and about to start a new hairstylist job.

In addition to Hauser and Leon, the stylists were Christen Strohl and Samantha Kiziuk, of Great Clips in Brodheadsville; Nancy Smith of Nancy’s Hair Design in Kresgeville; Tara Pritchard of Tara’s Studio 661 in Palmerton; and Nicole Althouse of Hair by Nikki in Lehighton.

“We gave over 198 backpacks filled with supplies, got in 71 haircuts and provided food for over 280 families in our immediate area,” Thek said. “I just want to give a big shout-out to my volunteers who continue to lean in, step up and push harder.”

Clients pushed their carts through, selecting from an array of fresh produce, canned fruit and vegetables, boxed pasta and potatoes, loaves of breads, meat and snacks. Food pantry volunteers help them each step of the way.

“By volunteering here, I know I am helping out a trustworthy organization that helps a lot of people,” said Michael Vanchieri, a senior at Wilkes University studying electrical engineering.

When clients are ready to leave, volunteer runners will help them out to their cars and load the groceries.

Nick Snyder, a Pleasant Valley Cyber Academy student, is one of those runners. He has chosen to do his senior project here.

“I have to volunteer 50 hours and write a paper on how it helps the community and how I was affected by helping out,” he said.

The food pantry is located inside the Eldred Township Community Center in Kunkletown.

For more information: https://www.westendpantry.com.