The Stroller, April 1, 2025: 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. Follow the Stroller on X at @VNDStroller.

Paws Across Pittsburgh plans bingo fundraiser

A bingo to benefit animal charity Paws Across Pittsburgh will be from 7 to 10 p.m. April 19 at the Brackenridge American Legion, 845 E. First Ave.

Doors will open at 6 p.m. Cost is $30 and includes regular games and one set of specials. Extra specials will be sold and there will be a basket raffle, food, non-alcoholic drinks and a cash bar.

For tickets, visit pawsacrosspittsburgh.com/events.

Free lunch, grocery items to be distributed

The Allegheny Valley Salvation Army and Community Center in Brackenridge will hand out free grab-and-go lunches from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday in the center parking lot, 917 Brackenridge Ave.

Free grocery items from Walmart and Aldi will be available. Everyone is welcome.

Calendar

Apollo

Wednesday: Apollo Hose Company 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.

Thursday: Apollo Area Historical Society will meet at 6:30 p.m. at the WCTU Building, 317 N. Second St. New members welcome.

Arnold

Today: Free dinner will be served from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at The Tomb, 1821 Fifth Ave.

Friday: St. Vladimir Church, 1610 Kenneth Ave., is accepting orders for its pierogi sale. Varieties: potato or sauerkraut, $14 per dozen; cottage cheese, $16. Pickup: 12:30 to 4 p.m. Friday in the church social hall. Orders: 724-339-9257, 8 to 10 a.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.

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 be at 7:15 p.m. at the American Legion, 845 First Ave. Details: 724-994-6030.

Buffalo Township  

Wednesday: Sarver Momco, formerly known as MOPS, will meet from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at Christ Community Fellowship, 160 Singleton Road. This is a non-denominational faith-based group for mothers of children in 12^th grade and younger and those who are expecting. Reservations required. Reservations: Sarvermomco@gmail.com or SarverMomco on Facebook.

April 13: A Sarris candy sale to benefit Buffalo Elementary PTA is being conducted online at sarriscandiesfundraising.com. Candy is available for Easter. Use group number 10-1588.

Freeport

Wednesdays: The Blessing Closet 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 p.m. at the firehall, 113 Firehall Road.

Harrison

Today: Community Library of Allegheny Valley will host a story time for children age 3 to 5 at 10 a.m. at the library, 1522 Broadview Blvd. No reservations required. Details: 724-226-3491.

Today: The Accordion Club is seeking new players of all ages. Meetings are from 6 to 8 p.m. the first and third Tuesday of each month at 6003 Freeport Road. Details: 724-236-0665.

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: adult tops and bottoms, 50 cents; children’s clothing, 25 cents. Please bring small bills and your own bags. Donations welcome during these hours. No bedding or electronics please.

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. 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.

April 10: Community Library of Allegheny Valley will host a talk with author Yvonne Valasek Jungle at 6 p.m. at the library, 1522 Broadview Blvd. Born and raised in Brackenridge, Jungle will discuss her book about her mother, Caroline Valasek, “Karolina: A Story of Faith, Survival and Love.” Reservations required. Reservations: alleghenyvalleylibrary.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 

May 3: Boy Scout Troop 589 is accepting applications for a yard sale planned at Spring Church Sportsman’s Club, 1956 Route 56. Individuals, families and vendors welcome. Cost: yard sale spaces, indoors, $15, outside; $10; vendors and crafters, $25. Spaces are 8-feet wide. Bring your own table and chairs. Reservations: checks made payable to Troop 589 should be sent to Carrie Shank, Troop 589, 1134 Old State Road, Apollo PA 15613. Questions: Tracy Boop, 724-420-6758, or Carrie Shank, 724-448-9639 or cjshank@comcast.net.

Leechburg

Thursday: The free genealogy group at Leechburg Area Museum and Historical Society will meet from 10 a.m. to noon at the museum, 118 First St. The group will now meet on the first and third Thursday of each month. Basic computer skills required. Details: Judy, wrighton154@yahoo.com.

Lower Burrell

Today: Redemption Church, 232 Hillcrest Dr., will offer a GriefShare support group from 6:30 to 8 p.m. through April 8 at the church. No reservations required.

Wednesdays: A free DivorceCare support group will meet from 6:30 to 8 p.m. through April 9 at Redemption Church, 232 Hillcrest Drive. No reservations required. Details: 724-766-6405.

Lower Burrell/New Kensington

April 26: Peoples Library is selling tickets for a lottery ticket raffle. The winner will receive $400 worth of Pennsylvania Lottery instant tickets. The drawing will be at the April 26 library luncheon at Knead Community Café. Cost: $5 each or three for $10. Winner need not be present. Tickets: stop in at either library location.

New Kensington  

Wednesday: Ken High Class of 1960 will meet for lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Knead Community Café, 1011 Barnes St. The group meets the first Wednesday of the month. Spouses and guests welcome. Details: Robert Grden, 440-269-0345 or bgconcord@aol.com.

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: 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. This week’s meals are sponsored by Dennis Cadwell. Details: 878-847-7997 or kneadcommunitycafe.org.

Thursday and Saturday: The Community Clothes Closet, 1129 Kenneth Ave., will be open from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Items available include clothing for all members of the family, shoes, linens, purses and handbags. Donations welcome during business hours only. Do not leave donations at the door.

April 9: The Myrrh Bearing Women of St. George Orthodox Church are accepting orders for an Easter sweets sale. Pickup: noon to 1:30 p.m. April 9 at the church hall, 1150 Leishman Ave. Prices: baklava, $14 per section; and sambosic, $3 each. Quantities are limited. Order deadline: noon today. Orders: 724-335-9988 or tinyurl.com/4jchcjt9.

April 19 to Oct. 25: The Downtown New Kensington Farmers Market is accepting vendor applications for this year’s market season that will run from mid-April through mid October on Fifth Avenue. Local vendors who sell fresh local produce, meat, poultry, dairy products, juice, cheese, bread and baked goods welcome. Details: Meredith, 412-719-8845 or downtownnkmarkets@gmail.com.

May 10: Animal Protectors of Allegheny Valley is accepting basket donations and supplies to make baskets for its annual spring luncheon planned at Knead Community Café. Details: jperin@animalprotectors.net.

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. Details: 412-828-3854 or jmjkwj@gmail.com.

Plum

Today: The Plum Food Pantry, 81 Sandune Drive, distributes free food from 5 to 6:30 p.m. the first three Tuesdays of each month. Details: 724-327-0367.

Saxonburg

Wednesday: Saxonburg Volunteer Fire Company will sell takeout fish and chicken dinners from 4 to 6 p.m. or until sold out at the firehall ballroom, 210 Horne Ave. Menu: fish or chicken, oysters, baked potato or fries, green beans, coleslaw, roll and cake, $15; extra piece of fish, $6; extra coleslaw, $1. Orders: 724-352-9948 after 2 p.m. Wednesday.

Tarentum 

Today: Alcoholics Anonymous will meet from 7 to 8 p.m. at Central Presbyterian Church, 305 Allegheny St.

Wednesday: Highlands Family Center, 415 E. Fourth Ave., will offer a free farmers market from noon to 5 p.m. while supplies last. There are no income guidelines and everyone is welcome. The event is the first Wednesday of each month.

Wednesday: The Elks will host bingo at 6:30 p.m. at the lodge, 219 E. Sixth Ave. The kitchen is open to 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.

Thursday: Tarentum Recreation Board will host a free bingo for senior citizens at 1 p.m. at Highland Senior Center located in Daltons Edge, 704 E. Second Ave. Lunch will be served afterward. Reservations required. Reservations: Carrie, 724-448-1470, or email shevawn.timko@namsc.com.

April 8, 9 and 10: SS. Peter & Paul Byzantine Catholic Church, 339 E. 10th Ave., is taking orders for its annual Easter nut roll sale. Nut, apricot and poppy seed rolls will be available. Cost per roll: $15. Orders: 724-224-3026 and leave a message, visit tarentumbyzcath.org or email tarentumbyzcath@gmail.com.

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 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.