The first challenge of the new school year for Melissa Ruschak’s Career Apprentices at Pleasant Valley High School was to collect boxes of macaroni and cheese to benefit the West End Food Pantry.

“Our goal was to collect 2,019 boxes, since they are seniors and graduate in 2019,” Ruschak said.

But with all four campuses of the district getting involved, it soon became a competition between the different schools. In the end, the district collected more than 9,000 boxes of the pantry staple.

“We know it’s not as nutritious as the tuna fish the kids collected last year,” Ruschak said. “But it is very popular at the food pantry.”

October is a big month for the West End Food Pantry with the Third Annual Stomp Out Hunger 5K and Fun Walk scheduled for Oct. 13 being held at the Blue Ridge Estate Vineyard and Winery in Saylorsburg.

The run/walk is usually the pantry’s biggest fundraiser of the year, but so far this year registration is down.

“The run helps us to buy food for the less fortunate in the local area,” pantry Director Karena Thek said. “Registration is low this year so we are worried about the success of this event.”

“It is a nice run for the cause and a great opportunity to run/walk through the Blue Ridge Vineyard, through the vines and back through an old carriage trail. It’s not the easiest course, but it might be the most beautiful one you ever run.”

There is a $35 registration fee and participants over 21 not only get a T-shirt, but also a commemorative wineglass and a free wine sampling.

“I heard that the owner of the winery is running again this year and he is putting out a challenge. He has even been training and is looking for some competition,” Thek said.

Registration closes soon. Go to https://runsignup.com/Race/PA/Saylorsburg/StompOutHunger5KandFunWalk to sign up.