Nearly 300 families in the greater Tamaqua area receive help from three community food banks, thanks to the generosity of local residents.

That generosity will take center stage this week as the Tamaqua Area Faith and Family Network hosts the 2018 Hunger Weekend.

Created in 2014 by the TAFFN, an affiliate of the Tamaqua Area Community Partnership, Hunger Weekend was designed to help families within the Tamaqua Area School District who need a helping hand. It started as a one-day event, with a Hunger Walk, but has since expanded to include an “empty bowl dinner.”

This year’s event will be held Wednesday at Zion Lutheran Church, Mauch Chunk and Greenwood Streets, and will also include lunch. Soup will be served from noon to 7 p.m.

Participants have three options. The Soup Pass ($5) allows the holder to select one bowl of soup. A Super Soup Pass ($10) allows the holder to sample all of the soups and the Super Soup Bowl Pass ($15) allows the holder to sample all of the soups and select a handcrafted bowl to take home. All passes include bread, dessert and beverage. Only 50 Super Soup Bowl passes are available.

This year’s menu includes: Italian wedding soup from Basile’s; Lentil soup from the Beacon Diner; Chicken Pastina from La Dolce Casa; Ham and bean soup from the M and I Deli; beef noodle from Nancy’s Meat Market; Egg drop soup from New Asian Bistro; Maryland Crab soup from Sisters; Chili from Skipper Dippers, New England clam chowder from Stadium Hill Cafe, Spinach chicken soup and Pasta Fagioli, both from Two Kings.

Italian bread will be provided by Tommy’s and Senape’s, while Heisler’s Dairy and Pamkakes will provide dessert.

The Hunger Walk will be held May 6, starting at the Tamaqua Community Art Center, 125 Pine St., Tamaqua. Registration will begin at 1:30 p.m., with the approximately 1-mile walk scheduled to begin at 2 p.m.

After the walk, an ice cream social will be held at the art center.

For more information on the dinner, call 70-668-4451 or email gtay200@verizon.net. For more information on the walk, contact Paul Dodson at 570-668-0289 or email dodsonp@verizon.net.