Leaders at the West End Food Pantry have had to rethink fundraising strategies.

“We are trying to come up with creative/unique fundraising ideas to help get us through the year. We are also seeking grant opportunities to help fill the void,” Executive Director Karena Thek said.

She is going to set up a GoFundMe account with a goal of raising $7,200 for a year of rent and utility payments.

The pantry only has two fundraisers per year: a concession stand at the West End Fair and the Stomp Out Hunger 5K race in October that she and volunteers plan. One has been canceled so far.

“The West End Fair is our biggest fundraiser for the year. We count on those funds to help us pay our rent, insurances and buy food for those in need,” she said.

“I am sad to miss such a fun week but I also am the person that would rather err on the side of caution,” she said. “There is still so much unknown about COVID; that unknown makes large activities very risky as I learned in my full-time job very quickly at a tech fair where over 100 people got infected.”

Thek said it is looking like the 5K will also be canceled this year.

While fundraising has been on Thek’s mind, refurbishing bicycles and brightening the day of children has been Todd Henshue’s continued mission.

He refurbishes used kids’ bicycles and clients can make an appointment to pick up one for their child. They are stored in the gymnasium at the Eldred Township Community Center.

“I adjust them to make sure they work properly, are safe and functional,” he said. “I get them from all over all year round.”

Meanwhile this spring, 17-year-old Connor Haydt wanted to do something to enhance the pantry’s look for his Eagle Scout project.

“He asked Karena what she would like done, and she chose fixing up the birthday room,” said his mother, Pam Haydt.

The birthday room is located next to the room where they store boxed and canned goods on indoor distribution days.

While school was closed and classes were online, he came to the pantry to paint the walls, ceiling, trim and new shelf he had hung. He also scrubbed and buffed the floor, fixed the sink and put colorful stickers on the cabinet doors.

He hung a happy birthday banner above a countertop filled with various gifts that volunteers and the community have donated. When it is their birthday, the child gets a small cake and chooses a toy.

Haydt ordered vinyl lettering from Jet Signs in Palmerton, which gave him a discount since it’s an Eagle Scout project for a nonprofit organization.

The letters will spell out the pantry’s name on the window just outside the birthday room. They are large enough so that they are visible to passers-by on Kunkletown Road.

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