The Stroller, Nov. 19, 2020: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley

Is your church or organization going to host a community holiday event? Send information to The Stroller as soon as possible to vndnews@tribweb.com. Please include a daytime telephone number.

Volunteers needed to prepare income tax returns

Allegheny Valley Association of Churches and United Way of Southwest Pennsylvania are looking for people to give their time as volunteer tax preparers.

Many of our neighbors don’t have access to affordable tax help, fall victim to rapid refund loans or are not aware of state and federal tax credits. Free training and certification are provided.

For details, call 724-226-0606, ext. 10 or email avac@avaaoc.org or visit SWPAFreeTaxes.org.

Free produce distribution set in Natrona

Building Block of Natrona will host its free Veggies for All and Cosmetics Closet outreach for residents in need at 1 p.m. Saturday at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 28 Garfield St., Natrona, Harrison.

Patrons should not arrive before 12:45 p.m. Free produce, and personal care and hygiene products will be distributed until supplies run out.

Extra hygiene steps will be taken. Income verification is not required, and everyone is welcome. Face masks are required and social distancing will be enforced.

Leechburg GriefShare sessions canceled due to pandemic

The GriefShare Surviving the Holidays session that was scheduled for Sunday, and the Loss of a Spouse session planned for Dec. 13 at First Lutheran Church in Leechburg are canceled due to the increase in covid-19 cases in the area.

Calendar

Apollo

Dec. 12: Reservations are being accepted for a vendor fair planned for 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at St. James Church Parish Center, 109 Owens View Ave. Table cost: $20 with electricity; $15 without electricity. Face masks and social distancing required. Registration and details: Linda, 724-882-8776

Arnold

Saturday: Arnold United Methodist Church, 1801 Leishman Ave., will serve a 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; younger than 12, $5. Details: 724-339-2377

Buffalo Township

Friday: Buffalo Township Zoning Hearing Board will meet 5:30 p.m. at Buffalo Volunteer Fire Company, 565 Sarver Road. Face masks required and not supplied. Maximum meeting size is 30 people.

Gilpin

Tuesday: An American Red Cross Blood community blood drive will be from 11 a.m. to 4:30 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

Today: Harmar Supervisors will conduct the regular meeting at 6 p.m. online. Access information: harmartownship-pa.gov/

Harrison 

Today: Community Library of Allegheny Valley will offer free a program, “Magic Tree House Adventures,” for children in first through fourth grade at 4:30 p.m. online at Zoom.us. This month’s book will be, “Thanksgiving On Thursday.” Registration required. An activity and craft packet can be scheduled for pickup. Registration: 724-226-3491

Friday: Polish National Alliance will sell fish sandwich, shrimp and chicken dinners from 2 to 6 p.m. at the lodge, 14 Linden St., Natrona. Menu: entree, fries and coleslaw, $6; desserts, $1. Other sides available. Details: 724-224-4471

Saturday: A free clothing and toy distribution will be from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Word of Faith Christian Fellowship, 42 Chestnut St., Natrona. Incontinence diapers of all sizes will be available.

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.

Saturday: Leechburg Area Museum is closed for the season. To schedule a private off-season tour or visit, email lamahs@windstream.net

Saturday: Cross Roads Community Presbyterian Church, will host its monthly free takeout Pot Love Dinner at noon Saturday at the church, 271 Main St. Reservations required by noon Friday. One dinner per family member limit. Those with reservations will be served first. Reservations: 724-845-1901 or church@crcpc.org. Line-up will be outside and social distancing must be observed.

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. at the café, 1011 Barnes St. Sponsors for this week’s distribution are the Just Older Youth (JOY) group from Harvest Baptist Church, Harrison. Those picking up meals are reminded to observe social distancing while they wait in line. There will be no dinner next week due to Thanksgiving.

Saturday and Monday: The Community Clothes Closet, 1129 Kenneth Ave., will be open from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday and Monday. Face masks required, and a maximum of 25 people can be in the store at one time. Donations welcome only during operating hours.

Parks

Today: Parks Township Sportmen’s Club will have its monthly meeting at 7:30 p.m. at the club, 1111 Shipman Road. New members welcome. Details: 724-845-2390 from 9 a.m. to noon.

Saxonburg

Dec. 6: South Butler County Library, 240 W. Main St., has suspended in-person programs inside the library building through Dec. 6. Services are available only at the library express window, no appointment required. Window hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays, and 9 a.m. to noon Fridays and Saturdays. Details: 724-352-4810 or director@southbutlerlibrary.org

Tarentum

Friday: Highlands Family Center, 415 E. Fourth Ave., will distribute free diapers from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the center. Limit one distribution per child per month. Details: 724-224-9006

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

Vandergrift

Fridays and Saturdays: The Veterans of Foreign Wars will sell takeout food from 1 to 8 p.m. at the post, 141 Sumner Ave. Curb-side delivery available. Members welcome to dine in. Menu: visit the post Facebook page. Orders: 724-568-1427 after 2 p.m.

Washington Township

Today: Washington Township Municipal Authority will meet at 7 p.m. in the municipal building, 285 Pine Run Church Road.

Cancellations and changes 

Harrison

All activities at Burtner House are canceled through the end of the year.

Lower Burrell 

The St. Margaret Mary Parish nut and apricot roll sale is canceled.

Oakmont

Oakmont Hometown Christmas and Parade are canceled

Saxonburg

The annual Saxonburg Holiday Parade sponsored by the Saxonburg Area Business Association is canceled.

Tarentum 

The annual joint Christmas Parade with Brackenridge is canceled.

Vandergrift

Christopher’s Light children’s charity has canceled the annual children’s Christmas party.