In anticipation of the upcoming Thanksgiving observance, the Bo Tkach Foundation this week distributed $16,000 to food pantries in Carbon and Northern Lehigh counties to help them to assist families in need.

“We’re very appreciative of the tremendous support our foundation has received this year and in prior years, and so we want to share our resources with the organizations that help put food on tables of families that are struggling,” said Jim Tkach, chairman of the foundation’s board of directors.

He said $2,000 checks were distributed to food pantries in Summit Hill, Lansford, Nesquehoning, Jim Thorpe, Lehighton, Palmerton, Weatherly and Slatington/Walnutport.

“While one of our missions is to assist persons struggling with mental illness, we believe helping families to be more comfortable knowing they will have a fulfilling Thanksgiving dinner is a way of lessening the stress they may otherwise feel,” he said.

Tkach added, “We don’t know how many turkeys or other food commodities $14,000 can buy, but we just want to do our part in assisting those who provide the services of helping those who are less fortunate to enjoy a Thanksgiving dinner.”

The foundation will once again sponsor its annual Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving Day, beginning at 9 a.m. in the park of the Borough of Palmerton. Participants are invited to walk or run in the 5K event and can register on the day of the event at the park.

Meanwhile, the foundation remains committed to its mission of creating awareness of mental health issues while providing essential funding for otherwise inaccessible mental health screening and treatment, youth programs and scholarships.

Tkach said board members have been working with the six Carbon County high schools, Northern Lehigh, Northwestern Lehigh and Marian Catholic high schools to assure its administrators funding for counseling services is available to them.

Additional information on the foundation is available at www.botkach.com.