The 14th annual Tamaqua Community Hunger Campaign kicks off today for a monthlong effort to raise funds and collect food items in support of the community’s four food pantries.

Food security issues continue in Tamaqua, as in many communities. Each month Tamaqua’s pantries serve more than 700 families, and include American Primitive Methodist Church through its two distribution days; Trinity United Church of Christ and Stokes Ministries when contacted; and Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church through its People’s Pantry kiosk available around the clock.

Last year’s campaign distributed $18,000 to the pantries depending on the number of families and individuals they serve. A total of 125 boxes and bags of food were also distributed to the pantries based on the numbers served.

Campaign planners hope to match and exceed those numbers this year because hunger remains an issue in Tamaqua.

The campaign includes familiar events such as the Community Soup Sale, Dine Out Against Hunger Days at participating eateries and the Tamaqua Community Hunger Walk.

Area churches and restaurants have been invited to make and donate quarts of soup that can be ordered beginning Oct. 6 online and at the Tamaqua Heritage Festival on Oct. 12. The soups will be distributed Oct. 25 from St. John XXIII Catholic Church’s social hall on Pine Street.

Area eateries have been invited to donate a soup or participate in Dine Out Against Hunger Days on either Oct. 29 or 30. Participating eateries donate a portion of their proceeds for that day to the campaign.

The Tamaqua Hunger Walk caps off the campaign beginning at 2 p.m. Nov. 2 from the Tamaqua Arts Center. Walkers are encouraged to seek sponsors. Registration begins at 1:30 p.m. and forms are available on the Tamaqua Hunger Campaign website.

In addition to the familiar happenings, three new events are being introduced this year. Harmonies for Hunger is a benefit concert hosted by St. John’s Lutheran Church, corner of Mauch Chunk and Pine streets, at 6 p.m. Oct. 11. Guest performers are Waiting for Eyes, which includes Kyle Dunkelberger and his son, Ryan, and Steve and Maggie, formerly of Toolshed Jack Acoustic. A freewill offering will be taken. Food donations will also be accepted.

During Fast Week between Oct. 12 and 18, Tamaqua area residents are asked to fast for one meal on one day of that week and then donate what they would have spent on that meal that day to the campaign through their church on Sunday or directly to the campaign.

Feed a Family Days will be held Oct. 14 and 19 at Boyer’s Market. Shoppers will have the opportunity to purchase a bag of food that contains more food than the purchase price. Campaign volunteers will be on-site to collect purchased bags as well as individual food items and cash donations.

All campaign details are available on the Tamaqua Community Hunger Campaign website. Links on the website lead to the soup sale and to a donation page.

The hunger campaign is a project of the Tamaqua Area Faith Fellowship Network and the Tamaqua Area Community Partnership. TAFFN is a nonprofit organization of lay people from area churches that operates under the umbrella of the partnership.

Cash and food donations are being accepted at Hope & Coffee, and donations can be sent to Tamaqua Hunger Campaign, 125 Pine St., Tamaqua, PA 18252.