The Stroller, Feb. 4, 2021: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley

The Stroller is compiling a list of fish fries taking place Ash Wednesday and/or Fridays during Lent. To your non-profit’s fish fry listed in the paper and online, send complete information in writing to Carol Pinto-Smith, Valley News Dispatch, 210 Wood St., Tarentum, PA 15084 or email cpinto-smith@triblive.com.

Drive-through food distribution set for Tuesday at Pittsburgh Mills

Allegheny Valley Association of Churches and the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank will host a drive-through food distribution for anyone in need from 4 to 6 p.m. Tuesday in the rear parking lot near Dick’s Sporting Goods at the Galleria at Pittsburgh Mills, Frazer. No cars are permitted to arrive before 4 p.m.

Reservations are required to ensure enough food is available. To make a reservation, visit pittsburghfoodbank.org/drive-up or call 412-460-3663, ext. 655. Have your license plate number of the car you will be in at the event, name, email, zip code, date of birth and current weekly income on hand. Bring your confirmation page or email for your reservation to the event.

Individuals must remain in their vehicle except to use the provided outdoor restrooms. After pulling up to the distribution area, recipients should put their car in park and unlock the trunk or backseat for the food the be loaded.

Volunteers are needed to help the distribution. For details, call 724-226-0606.

Vandergrift Public Library participating in reading challenge

Vandergrift Public Library is taking part in Beanstack’s Fourth Annual Winter Reading Challenge, sponsored by Simon & Schuster.

Members of the community of all ages are invited to compete activities and read 10 books by March 31 and keep track of their reading on the library Beanstack website. Libraries and schools all over the country are participating and top performing libraries and schools will earn awards from Simon & Schuster, including book collections and author visits.

All patrons who complete the entire challenge will be entered into a raffle to win a Barnes & Noble gift card. The winner of the raffle will be announced April 1. To participate, visit Vandergriftpubliclibrary.beanstack.org/reader365.

Christopher’s Light seeking volunteers

Children’s charity Christopher’s Light is seeking casual volunteers to help with the organization’s daily activities.

Volunteers must commit to a minimum of two hours per week with flexible days and hours, over 18 years old and able to pass clearances.

For details, email ksuemmck@gmal.com

West Deer Dog Shelter accepting donations

West Deer Dog Shelter is now accepting donations via Venmo @westdeerdogshelter.

To use Venmo, download the Venmo app and when asked for phone number for verification, enter 5519.

Donations can also be dropped off or mailed to the township building, 109 East Union Road Cheswick, PA 15024. Contributions help with the medical costs of the rescued dogs.

For questions, call 724-265-2780.

Calendar

Apollo 

March 17: St. James Parish is selling tickets for a Luck of the Irish scratch-off lottery ticket raffle. Winner will receive one complete roll of $5, $10 and $20 Pa. Lottery scratch off lottery tickets. The winning number will be the 7 p.m. March 17 Pa. Daily Pick 3 number. Cost: $10, includes two numbers. Tickets: Linda, 724-882-8776 or after weekend Masses in the church vestibule and the church office, 109 Owens View Ave. Proceeds will benefit the church operating budget.

Arnold

Saturday: Arnold United Methodist Church, 1801 Leishman Ave., will host an all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast from 8 a.m. to noon at the church. Menu: plain, blueberry, pecan and chocolate chip pancakes and french toast. Dine in or take out. Cost: $7.50; 12 and younger, $5. Details: 724-339-2377

Saturday: Homemade doughnuts will be sold from 6 to 11 a.m. at Calvary Lutheran Church, 1721 Victoria Ave. Orders: 724-339-4830

Brackenridge

Today: Bingo will be hosted by the American Legion at 7:15 p.m. at the post, 845 First Ave. Face masks required. Seating arrangements will reflect social distancing. The kitchen will be closed.

Today: Brackenridge Council will meet at 6 p.m. online. Access information: brackenridgeboro.com/brackenridge-virtual-meeting-page/

Butler County

Saturday: The Butler chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness will offer a free online support group at Zoom.us for families and friends of those living with a mental illness. The group meets the first Saturday and third Monday of each month. Registration required. Registration: 724-431-0069 or info@namibutler.org. Participants must confirm attendance by 3 p.m. the day prior to each meeting to receive a link to participate.

Tuesday: The Butler chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness will host an information session, “Bridges of Hope,” at 6 p.m. online at Zoom.us to educate and promote the exchange of information to faith communities about mental illness. A question-and-answer session will be afterward. Registration required by Monday. Details and registration: 724-431-0069 or info@namibutler.org

East Vandergrift  

Saturday and Sunday: A rummage sale will be from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday and noon to 1 p.m. Sunday in the basement of Our Lady, Queen of Peace Church, 420 McKinley Ave. Face masks and social distancing required.

March 21: Our Lady, Queen of Peace Parish is selling raffle tickets for a Half A Cow raffle. Winner will receive half a cow, a 20-cubic feet freezer, $200 gift card to Naser’s Foods, $200 gift card to Rukas Beverage and a $100 gift card to Lackey’s Dairy Queen. The winning number will be the 7 p.m. March 21 Pa. Daily Pick 3 number. Cost: $10 for two numbers. Tickets: Deborah, 724-859-3186, after Sunday Mass in the church vestibule and the church office, 400 Kennedy Ave.

Fox Chapel

February: Fox Chapel Area High School will host a community blood drive during February at the Vitalant Harmar/Fox Chapel Donor Center, 2585 Freeport Road, suite 207. Appointments are recommended, but walk-ins are welcome. Donors must be at least 16 years old and will be tested for antibodies to covid-19 for free. Appointments: 866-366-6771 and specify the donation is for the Fox Chapel Area High School drive, or click on the Donate Blood button at Vitalant.org and use group code HS010025

Freeport Area School District 

Today: Freeport Area School Board will hold the agenda meeting at 7:30 p.m. in the high school audion, 621S. Pike Road, Buffalo Township. Details: 724-295-5141

Gilpin

Today: Gilpin Volunteer Fire Department will host bingo at 7:15 p.m. at the firehall, 113 Firehall Road.

Saturday: Gilpin Volunteer Fire Department is accepting orders for a drive-thru chicken dinner planned for 3:30 p.m. at the firehall, 113 Firehall Road. Menu: baked chicken breast and thigh, rigatoni, parsley potatoes, corn, coleslaw and cake, $10. Orders: 724-845-7200, leave a message

Feb. 16: An American Red Cross Blood community blood drive will be from 12:30 to 6 p.m. at Gilpin Volunteer Fire Department social hall, 113 Fire Hall Road. Appointments: 800-733-2767 or visit redcrossblood.org and use sponsor code GTVFD

Harmar

Feb. 20: The designer purse bash planned by Fun and Freedom Youth Sports has been changed to be an all-virtual event beginning at 6 p.m. Cost: $35, includes entry in 13 prize drawings. There will be side and 50/50 raffles and a silent auction. Details: 724-274-7773 or visit the group’s Facebook page.

Harrison

Saturday: A Polish dinner to benefit the building fund of Volunteer Hose Company No. 1 in Natrona will be from noon to 6 p.m. at the Natrona PNA, 14 Linden St. Menu: stuffed cabbage or halushki, vegetable and roll, $9; baked goods available for an additional charge. Delivery available. Dine in option will be available subject to covid rules. Advance orders and questions: Nancy, 724-410-8018

Monday through Feb. 14: Hilltop Hose Company No. 2 is sponsoring a “For the Love of Cash” raffle Feb. 8 through 14. Cost: $10, includes two numbers. Drawings will be based on the 7 p.m. Pa. Lottery each day. Tickets: 724-224-9968 or stop in Tuesday evenings at the fire station, 1501 Cambridge St., Natrona Heights.

Leechburg

Today: A New Path Al-Anon Family Group, a free, confidential program for anyone whose life has been affected by someone else’s drinking, will meet at 7 p.m. in First United Methodist Church, 251 Main St. Face masks and social distancing required.

April 1: Tickets are on sale for a No Foolin’ Lottery Scratch-off Ticket Raffle to benefit Leechburg Area Community Association and Leechburg Public Library. Winner receives one roll of $20 and one roll of $10 scratch-off tickets. Cost: $5, includes two numbers. Winning number will be the 7 p.m. April 1 Pick 3 number. Tickets: stop in at the library, 139 Market St.

April 17: Leechburg Volunteer Fire Company is accepting applications for vendors for an outside Rally on the River set for noon to 6 p.m. at the firemen’s grounds, 268 Canal St. Vendors are responsible for their own signs, tables, chairs and tent. No electricity available. No yard sale tents. Cost: $25 for a 25 x 25-foot area. Details: Melissa, 724-332-9090 or Kari, 724-309-6143

New Kensington

Today: Knead Community Café in New Kensington will hand out free grab-and-go dinners from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday at the café, 1011 Barnes St. Those picking up meals are reminded to observe social distancing while they wait in line.

Today: New Kensington Redevelopment Authority will meet at 7 p.m. online at Zoom.us. Access information: ID 898 5847 8055; password 256818; audio only, call 646-558-8656

Wednesday: Animal Protectors of Allegheny Valley will host a virtual Bow Wow Bingo at 7 p.m. online at Zoom.us. Cost: $25 for one card; $5 for each additional card. There will be 10 games. A gift card prize will be announced before each game and prizes will be mailed to winners. Bingo cards and instructions will be emailed. Registration required. Registration: animalprotectors.net/events

March 27: Animal Protectors of Allegheny Valley is seeking gift basket and gift card donations for a virtual spring basket raffle. Deadline: Feb. 20 Details: Val, vdesanto@animalprotectors.net

May 29: TryLife Center is accepting crafter and vendor applications for a fair set for 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Quality Inn, 300 Tarentum Bridge Road. Details: 724-339-9399, ext. 105.

Saxonburg 

Feb. 15: South Butler Community Library is conducting a raffle for a dog basket containing $100 of dog items from Saxonburg Agway, and a $50 Agway gift card. Cost: $1 each or eight for $5. The drawing will be at 6 p.m. Feb. 15. Tickets are available at the library express window, 240 W. Main St., and the Agway, 145 Butler St. Proceeds will benefit the library.

Springdale

February: Springdale Free Public Library is offering a fine amnesty through Feb. 28. Return any overdue item belonging to the library and all fines on that item will be waived, regardless of how long it has been checked out. The book drop is available 24/7 for all items except CDs and DVDs. Details: 724-274-9729

Tarentum  

Saturday: The Clothing Closet at Central Presbyterian Church, 305 Allegheny St., will be open from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Details: 724-224-9220

Tuesday: The Tarentum Council meeting planned for Feb. 2 is rescheduled to be at 6 p.m. Tuesday online at Zoom.us. Details: tarentumboro.com. Access information: ID 724-224-1818; audio only, call 301-715-8592

Upper Burrell

Saturday: Manchester Reformed Presbyterian Church, 204 Manchester Hill Road, will have an indoor flea market from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the church. Proceeds will benefit the church Mercy Fund that benefits those in need.