| Milk | qts. | 2,013 |
| Gelatin | qts. | 295 |
| Eggs | doz. | 335 |
| Lemons | doz. | 42½ |
| Rice | lbs. | 15 |
| Vanilla | qts. | 9 |
| Grape Juice | bottles | 4 |
| Raspberry Juice | bottle | 1 |
| Pineapple | cans | 4 |
| Peaches | can | 1 |
| Cocoa | boxes | 4 |
| Junket Tablets | boxes | 2 |
| Cornstarch | boxes | 155 |
| Tapioca | boxes | 141 |
| Gelatin | boxes | 202 |
| Lemon Jello | boxes | 12 |
| Sugar | lbs. | 316 |
| Ice Cream | qts. | 56 |
| Vegetables used in soup | October | qts. | 40 |
| November | qts. | 40 | |
| December | qts. | 40 | |
| ──── | |||
| Total | qts. | 120 | |
| Rice used in soup | October | lbs. | 26 |
| November | lbs. | 40 | |
| December | lbs. | 50 | |
| ──── | |||
| Total | lbs. | 116 | |
| Barley used in soup | October | lbs. | 10 |
| November | lbs. | 3 | |
| December | lbs. | 10 | |
| ──── | |||
| Total | lbs. | 23 | |
| Spaghetti used in soup | October | lbs. | 5 |
| November | lbs. | 46 | |
| December | lbs. | 50 | |
| ──── | |||
| Total | lbs. | 101 |
| Number of influenza masks given out (approximately) | 200 | |
| Clothing | Garments | 50 |
Soup was distributed in Wilkes-Barré and outlying districts, and was sent to the Visiting Nurses’ rooms and to the Home for Friendless Children. Corresponding amounts of desserts were sent out in Wilkes-Barré, and outlying districts, and to the Home for Friendless Children. Jellies and marmalades were donated in large quantities, and were sent out with the soup and desserts. The sum of $500.00 was donated for free milk for influenza patients.
Although Troop Trains were being served during the month of December, the Canteen continued the work incidental to the epidemic. From Canteen Headquarters large quantities of soup, custards and milk were distributed to individuals and families in the city and outskirts. Three thousand nine hundred and seventy-four people were served. Two thousand four hundred and fifty-six quarts of soup were distributed; 167 quarts, with corresponding quantities of custard, were sent to Georgetown, and 13½ quarts to the Visiting Nurses’ rooms for their lunches. Eight hundred and five quarts of milk were distributed. Two hundred and three lunches were packed for volunteer nurses on duty in the stricken homes. Twenty-four quarts of ice cream were distributed on Christmas Day. Desserts were distributed in which the following were used: 739 quarts milk, 84 quarts gelatin, 117½ dozen eggs, 10½ dozen lemons, 4 quarts vanilla, 47 boxes cornstarch, 53 boxes tapioca, 33 boxes gelatin, 12 boxes lemon jello, 85 pounds sugar.
At a meeting of the Greater Wilkes-Barré Chamber of Commerce held December 10, 1918, with President Philip R. Bevan in the chair and Hayden Williams Secretary, a very full discussion took place with respect to the large number of children in Luzerne County who had been orphaned by the influenza scourge (2,390, as noted on page — [n?], ante)—creating a condition demanding the serious consideration of every citizen of the County. Thereupon the following resolution was adopted:
“Resolved, That a committee be appointed to look into this matter, and make recommendations at a subsequent meeting of the Chamber.”
Pursuant to this resolution President Bevan appointed a committee as follows: William C. Shepherd, Chairman, Percy A. Brown, C. F. Brisbin, John N. Conyngham, Charles E. Clift, William H. Conyngham, Fuller R. Hendershot and John D. Farnham. This committee met on January 3, 1919, and after careful deliberation unanimously decided that, before any consideration could be given to a definite plan for the permanent relief of influenza orphans, it would be necessary to form a general committee drawn from various sections of the County of Luzerne. Chairman Shepherd declared that, whatever plan of relief should be adopted, it should apply to the entire County. He said, also, that it would have to be decided whether or not any of the children could be taken care of by existing charitable organizations, or whether a special institution would have to be established.
Mr. Hendershot, and others present, raised the question as to whether or not any of the children could be taken care of by the Mothers’ Pension Fund. It was admitted that if this were done the appropriations for the Fund would have to be increased. It was stated that, as there were some Counties in the State which did not have such a Fund, the local Board might be able to secure an increase in its appropriations from the State funds not drawn upon by other Counties entitled thereto.
Mr. Brisbin told of the investigation then going on by members of the Red Cross, and others, under his direction, in order to ascertain all conditions surrounding each individual affected by the ravages of the pandemic. He said that when the inquiries should be completed, in the course of two or three weeks, there would be definite information as to the exact number of orphans for whom permanent provision would have to be made. He said that in many cases orphans would either be placed in the care of relatives, or others, and that in the end the number to be provided for by the public would not be as large as then anticipated.