The Primitive Methodist Church and the Salvation Army Schuylkill Service Center, both of Tamaqua, team up for a food drive twice a month.

Wednesday’s holiday giveaway was packed with an abundance of food thanks to help from many involved.

“We work together well,” said Pastor Rick Clemson.

“The Salvation Army has helped us with volunteers. They have a lot more contacts than we do as a church. And once they come, they come back many times.”

Many community members lined Hunter Street waiting for a packed box of food, which included a holiday ham.

“The Salvation Army purchased 100 hams, they did potatoes, vegetables and the rest of the food, in addition to the donations, came from Helping Harvest,” Clemson said.

About 250 boxes of food were planned to be given away on Wednesday.

“We try to keep them the same. But we had a lot of donations from local people and businesses for Christmas,” Clemson said.

“We have an assortment of food this time. Normally when we order it, we try to order enough that everyone gets the same thing. But this room was filled with donations.”

Clemson said volunteers from many different local churches were on site to assist on Wednesday.

“It’s the town coming together,” Clemson said. “It’s amazing how we get to know the people - and it’s people you never met before and all of the sudden you see them every month and you become friends.”

Jael Houser, Salvation Army program facilitator, said the partnership with the church isn’t about work, but it’s more of a family now.

“It’s good to have all of the help we do. I alone wouldn’t be able to do this. But with the church’s help and all of the volunteers, it comes together very well, and a lot of people are very happy,” Houser said.

“We are extremely blessed. Schuylkill County has come together, it’s amazing. I’ve been in tears multiple times because of how giving people are right now.”

Clemson said they try to provide food for a couple of weeks, not just a meal or two.

“I’ve had compliments from people outside waiting that the variety of things we’re giving, they don’t get anywhere else.”

Houser has her hand in a number of holiday giveaways such as the Angel Tree program, which will culminate later this month.

“Appreciation is a huge thing. I was never looking for it, but it keeps me motivated to do more and more.”