The Stroller, April 23, 2024: Events in the Alle-Kiski Valley

Publicize your non-profit’s community events, fundraisers and club meetings for free in The Stroller. Send information at least two weeks in advance to vndnews@triblive.com or The Stroller, 210 Wood St., Tarentum PA 15084. Please include a daytime telephone number.

Free nature walks planned by Audubon Society

The Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania will sponsor free community walks the first Friday of each month May 3 through Nov. 1 at Freeport Community Park.

Walks will begin at 9 a.m. and will last one hour, rain or shine. Meet in the parking lot of Laube Hall. A naturalist will lead the group and will discuss birds, beneficial insects, native plants and wildlife. Binoculars will be available.

Reservations are required. For reservations, call 724-295-3589 or visit aswp.org.

Lunch giveaway set Thursday at Salvation Army

The Allegheny Valley Salvation Army and Community Center will distribute free grab-and-go lunches from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday in the center parking lot, 917 Brackenridge Ave.

Enter from the back gym door by the alley. Free grocery items from Walmart and Aldi will be available. Everyone is welcome.

Calendar

Apollo

Wednesday: Apollo Hose Co. No. 2 will have bingo at 7 p.m. at the firehall, 325 N. Fourth St. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. There will be specials and wish jars. Details: 724-478-4831.

Arnold

Today and Thursday: The Tomb, 1821 Fifth Ave., will serve a free lunch from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Details: 878-847-5646.

Brackenridge

Wednesday: Al-Anon will meet at 8 p.m. at Trinity United Methodist Church, 847 10th Ave. The group offers help and hope for families and friends of alcoholics.

Thursday: Bingo will begin at 7:15 p.m. at the American Legion, 845 First Ave. Details: 724-994-6030.

Buffalo Township

Wednesday: Sarver Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS) will meet from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at Christ Community Fellowship Church, 160 Singleton Road. The group is a non-denominational faith-based organization where mothers from pregnancy through those with 12^th grade children can find community and connection. Childcare and brunch are provided. Reservations required. Reservations: visit Sarver MOPS on Facebook.

Cheswick

Wednesday: A department service officer from the American Legion will be available by appointment from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the office of Pa. Rep. Mandy Steele, 1296 Pittsburgh St. Appointments: 724-826-5151.

Freeport

Wednesday: The Thrift Store Clothing Ministry at Freeport United Methodist Church, 211 Fourth St., will be open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. All items are free, but donations will be accepted. Items available include clothing of all sizes, bedding and window items. Donations of clothing, shoes and boots welcome; must be laundered and free from smoke and pet hair. Wheelchair accessible. Details: 724-295-3095.

Gilpin

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

Harrison  

Wednesday: The Becky’s Closet community clothing store at Faith Lutheran Church, 1500 Broadview Blvd., will be open from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the church. Cost: tops and bottoms for men and women, $50 cents; children’s clothing, 25 cents. Donations welcome during these hours. Everyone welcome.

Wednesday: The Agape Thrift Shop at Grace United Methodist Church, 1333 Freeport Road, will be open from 1 to 4 p.m. Clean clothing in all sizes is needed. No housewares or bedding please due to lack of space. Bring donations on Wednesday or leave them on the front porch. Do not place donations in the blue bins behind the church.

Wednesday: Allegheny Valley Association of Churches Food Bank will be open from 1:30 to 5 p.m. at 1913 Freeport Road, Natrona Heights. Food bank participants can receive food allotments twice per month. Those who are not yet registered should come from 3 to 4 p.m. on Wednesday. The Sparrow’s Nest clothing and home goods ministry will be open from 1 to 4:30 p.m. Details and alternate times: 724-226-0606, ext. 10.

Wednesday : The Kitchen Sink Book Club at Community Library of Allegheny Valley will meet at 5:30 p.m. at the library, 1522 Broadview Blvd. The selection will be “Silent Spring” by Springdale native Rachel Carson. Copies are available at the circulation desk. Reservations required. Reservations: 724-226-3491 or alleghenyvalleylibrary.org.

Saturday : The new Dungeons & Dragons Club at Community Library of Allegheny Valley will meet from noon to 3 p.m. at the library, 1522 Broadview Blvd. Players must be at least in sixth grade. All dice and materials will be provided. Must come with a finished character sheet. The group will be playing a oneshot. Beginners welcome. Reservations required. Reservations: 724-226-3491.

April 28: Veterans of Foreign Wars District 29 Auxiliary Steering Committee will sponsor a bingo at 1 p.m. at the Veterans of Foreign Wars, 894 Veterans Lane. Doors open at 11:30 a.m. Cost: $35, includes lunch, 12 regular games and three specials. Tickets: Amy, 724-882-5600, or Ceil, 412-759-8236 or at the post, 724-904-7649.

Indiana Township

Thursday : A Vitalant community blood drive will be from 9 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. in Rowe Hall of the Benedum Student Center at Shady Side Academy, 423 Fox Chapel Road. Appointments recommended, but walk-ins are welcome. Appointments: 877-258-4825 or visit the Donate Blood button at Vitalant.org.

Jefferson Township

Thursday: Bingo will be at 6:30 p.m. at the American Legion, 754 N. Pike Road. Doors open at 5 p.m. The kitchen will be open. Proceeds benefit post and auxiliary projects.

Kiski Township

Today: The diaper pantry at Spring Church Lutheran Church, 3623 Lutheran Church Road, will distribute diapers from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the church. Distributions are the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month. Recipients must register in advance. First-time recipients must provide their own ID, the child’s birth certificate and a current WIC or SNAP card. Registration: 724-478-1528.

Leechburg

Saturdays: The Leechburg Area Museum is closed for the season. Appointments during the off-season: 724-845-8914 and leave a message or email lamahs@windstream.net.

Lower Burrell

Wednesday: Peoples Library will host an open play session for children 6 and younger and their caregiver at 11 a.m. at the library, 3052 Wachter Ave. Coloring for Grownups will be at 1 p.m. Details: 724-339-1021.

Thursday: Peoples Library will sponsor an arts, crafts and STEM workshop for all ages at 1 p.m. at the library, 3052 Wachter Ave. Details: 724-339-1021.

New Kensington

Today: East Kensington Community Circle will sell sponsor a lunch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Community Circle building, 1785 Seventh Street, across from Martin Elementary School. Menu: hot dogs, with or without sauerkraut, ham barbeques, hot sausage sandwiches, macaroni and cheese, macaroni salad, pies, cake, brownies and pop. Delivery available. Deliveries: 724-448-2573, after 10 a.m.

Wednesday: Peoples Library will host an open play session for children 6 and younger and their caregiver at 11 a.m. at the library, 880 Barnes St. Coloring for Grownups will be at 1 p.m. Details: 724-339-1021.

Thursday: Knead Community Café will hand out free grab-and-go meals from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the cafe, 1011 Barnes St., New Kensington. Details: 878-847-7997.

Thursday: New Kensington Eagles Auxiliary Bingo will be at 7 p.m. at the aerie, 2134 Freeport Road. Doors open at 5 p.m. Sales are from 6 to 6:50 p.m. Cost: $25 for a 12-on package; specials will be available. The kitchen will be open. Public welcome. Details: 724-448-7403.

Thursday: Peoples Library will sponsor an arts, crafts and STEM workshop for all ages at 11 a.m. at the library, 880 Barnes St. A free Knitting for Beginners class will be at noon. Needles and yarn provided. All skill levels welcome. A Watercolors for Beginners class will be at 3:30 p.m. Supplies provided. Details: 724-339-1021.

North Apollo

Thursday: A teen skate night to benefit the David Leech Elementary School PTA in Leechburg will be from 6 to 8 p.m. at Valarena Sk8 Land, 320 18^th St. Admission: $6; skate rental, $3. The PTA will receive $3 from each admission.

Oakmont

Today: Taking Pounds Off Sensibly (TOPS) meets at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 1261 Pennsylvania Ave. Private weigh-ins will be from 5:45 to 6:10 p.m. and the meeting will be afterward. The first meeting is free. Please note the new location. Details: 412-828-3854 or jmjkwj@gmail.com.

Through April 30: Oakmont Carnegie Library, 700 Allegheny River Blvd., will offer a StoryWalk, “Hank’s Big Day: The Story of a Bug” in the library garden area. Enjoy reading and being outdoors at the same time. Details: 412-828-9532 or oakmontlibrary.org.

South Buffalo 

May 4: Freeport International Baseball Invitational will sponsor a cornhole tournament fundraiser at 5 p.m. at South Buffalo Volunteer Firehall, 100 Firehall Road. Doors open at 4 p.m. Entry fee: $50 per team, includes food and beverages. Must be 21. Cash prizes will be awarded for first- and second-place, and there will be a basket raffle and 50-50. Spectator admission: $15, includes food and drinks. Team reservations: rtoy98@yahoo.com. Payments: Venmo, @Freeportinternationals.

Springdale 

Thursday : Springdale Free Public Library will present an historical program, “Marketing the Presidency – 125 Years of Presidential Artifacts” at 6 p.m. at the library, 311 School St. Steve Mihaly will be the speaker. Reservations required. Reservations: 724-274-9729.

Thursday: Lower Valley Community Food Bank will distribute food from 1 to 3 p.m. Thursday from the rear entrance of the Springdale borough building, 325 School St. Do not arrive before 12:45 p.m. Anyone in need of food who lives in Springdale, Springdale Township, Cheswick, Harmar and the sections of Indiana Township and West Deer with a zip code of 15024 is welcome. New recipients can register Thursday.

Thursday: The diaper pantry at St. Mark Lutheran Church will distribute free diapers from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the church, 600 Pittsburgh St. Recipients must register in advance. First-time recipients must provide their own ID, the child’s birth certificate and a current WIC or SNAP card. Distributions are the second and fourth Thursdays of each month. Registration: 724-274-5313.

Tarentum

Wednesday: A free board game night will be from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Alle-Kiski Valley Heritage Museum, 224 E Seventh Ave. Details: akvhs.org.

Wednesday: The Elks will host bingo at 6:30 p.m. at the lodge, 219 E. Sixth Ave. The kitchen is open for orders from the public from 5 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. Menu: elks644.org/elks-kitchen-1. Orders: 724-226-1644 by 8:15 p.m.

Wednesdays and Saturdays: The Alle-Kiski Valley Historical Society, 224 E. Seventh Ave., is open from noon to 3 p.m. and other times by appointment. Details: 724-224-7666.

Vandergrift

Today: The YoYos Needle Arts group at Vandergrift Public Library will meet from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the library reading room, 128C Washington Ave. No reservations required; just stop in. All skill levels welcome; however, this is not an instructional program. Details: 724-568-2212.

Wednesday: The Anime Club for children in fifth through 10^th grade at Vandergrift Public Library will meet from 6 to 7 p.m. at the library, 128C Washington Ave. Details: 724-568-2212.

Washington Township

Wednesday: Alcoholics Anonymous will meet at 6 p.m. at Union Presbyterian Church, 656 Route 380.

Winfield

Thursday: The Matrona Family Resource Center at Cabot Church, 707 Winfield Road, will be open from 6 to 8 p.m. New and gently used clothing is sizes children’s clothing in sizes preemie through 10/12 will be available, as well as strollers, car seats, toys and more. No reservations required. Details: 724-524-1809 or tinyurl.com/mw9kd9cp.