The 13th Annual Tamaqua Area Campaign Against Hunger runs for the entire month of October, and will culminate with a community soup sale distribution on Oct. 26 and the Tamaqua Community Hunger Walk on Oct. 27.

The campaign benefits community food pantries at American Primitive Methodist Church, Trinity United Church of Christ and Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church as well as a food program at Stokes Ministries. More than 450 families are served by these pantries and ministries in the Tamaqua area each month.

Last year’s campaign raised just over $17,000 and collected 85 boxes of food for the pantries. The 2024 goal is $18,000 and 125 boxes of food.

The 2024 campaign has many moving parts including sponsorships, canned and dry good food collections, a “Dine Out Against Hunger” restaurant night, an online community soup sale and a campaign ending walk.

“There are many ways to participate in this year’s campaign,” said Paul Dodson, a member of the planning team and campaign originator.

An August blanket mailing introduced the community to the 2024 campaign. Additional letters were mailed to Tamaqua churches, businesses, restaurants and civic and service organizations in early September.

Local businesses have been asked for donations and sponsorships. They can also do food collections and organize and sponsor a team in the hunger walk.

Churches have been asked to participate by collecting food items, organizing and sponsoring a team for the hunger walk and making a soup for the community soup sale.

Restaurants have been asked to host a “Dine Out Against Hunger Night” on Oct. 23 or 24 with a portion of their proceeds going to the campaign. A restaurant can also participate by making a soup for the community soup sale.

Soup purchases can be made online from Oct. 6 to 20 at https://tamaquahunger.tacp.info/. The campaign will also have a table at the Tamaqua Heritage Festival on Oct. 13 where soup can be ordered. Soup will be distributed from 9 - 11 a.m. Oct. 26 at Trinity UCC’s Founders Hall.

Those purchasing a quart of soup will also get a chance to win one of several gift certificates to Tamaqua area restaurants.

Organizations collecting food can contact Paulette Lacrosse at 570-926-4698 or Paul Dodson at 272-208-0034 for pickup.

Churches, organizations and restaurants wishing to participate in the soup sale can contact Judy Hoppes at 570-778-7136 or George Taylor at 570-205-2454 by Oct. 4.

Area restaurant owners wishing to host a “Dine Out Against Hunger Night” should contact Pastor Sharon Stokes at 570-486-8389 or George Taylor at 570-205-2454 by Oct. 18.

Those planning to participate in the hunger walk or needing more information about the walk and securing sponsorships can contact Glenn Fritzinger at 484-560-8211.

The hunger campaign is a project of the Tamaqua Area Faith Fellowship Network, a 501 3C organization of lay leaders from area churches which operates under the umbrella of the Tamaqua Area Community Partnership.