The Tamaqua Community Hunger Campaign continues this weekend with three events, two of which are brand-new.

On Saturday, Harmonies for Hunger offers an evening of acoustic music benefiting the campaign.

The concert begins at 6 p.m. at St. John’s Lutheran Church on the corner of Mauch Chunk and Pine streets and features two acoustic acts: Waiting for Eyes and Steve and Maggie (formerly of Toolshed Jack Acoustic). A freewill offering and/or food donation is being accepted. Refreshments will be available for purchase, courtesy St. John’s.

“This is one of my favorite times of the year,” said benefit organizer Steve Ulicny. “It’s also a time of the year when many in our community are the most in need. Anytime those who have can help those who don’t have is an opportunity for all.

“We are a community, and part of being in a community is doing what you can to help others.”

This is the first time a benefit concert has been offered during the 14 years of the hunger campaign.

“Even if the event brings in a dollar or one extra can of food, that was something that was not there before,” Ulicny said. “I think we’ll do better than that. It’s amazing what people will if you only ask them.”

Ulicny said he’s glad music is being used as a catalyst for bringing the community together.

“Music is the universal language,” he said. “How appropriate it is that we share it for the common good.”

Another new event, Fasting Week, begins on Sunday.

During the week, residents are asked to fast for one meal and then donate what they would have spent on that meal to the hunger campaign either through their church or directly by mailing their donation to Tamaqua Hunger Campaign, 125 Pine St., Tamaqua, PA 18252. Donations are also being accepted online by searching “Tamaqua Hunger Campaign.”

Campaign planner Glenn Fritzinger modified the Fasting Week idea from when he asked members of his church to fast for a day and donate to the World Kitchen, which was feeding thousands of people in Ukraine when the war there first began.

“It’s a wonderful way for everyone to participate in the hunger campaign,” Fritzinger said. “And fasting can help you understand what hunger feels like.”

Also on Sunday, the campaign will be at the Tamaqua Heritage Festival offering people the opportunity to order homemade soup and learn more about other campaign events.

“Our soup sale began this past Monday online and orders have been good,” said Judy Hoppes, soup sale organizer. Soups are being made by Tamaqua churches, restaurants and civic organizations. The goal is to sell 200 quarts of soup.

“Being at Heritage Day gives people without computers a chance to order soup,” Hoppes said. “It’s also a good way for making the campaign events more visible in the community.”

A link to the online soup sale can be found by searching “Tamaqua Hunger Campaign.” Deadline is Oct. 19. Soup pickup is from 9-11 a.m. Oct. 25 at St. John XXIII Catholic Church’s social hall on Pine Street.

Upcoming campaign events include “Feed a Family” days on Oct. 14 and 19 at Boyer’s Market; Dine Out Against Hunger Days on Oct. 29 and 30 at participating Tamaqua area eateries; and the 14th annual Tamaqua Hunger Walk on Nov. 2.

Organizations or individuals collecting food items during October can contact Paulette Lacrosse at 570-720-5924 to have the items picked up and distributed to community food pantries.

The Tamaqua Community Hunger Campaign supports the food pantries at American Primitive Methodist Church, Stokes Ministries, Trinity United Church of Christ and the People’s Pantry at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church. Together, the four pantries serve well over 700 families a month.

Last year the campaign distributed $18,000 and 125 boxes and bags of food to those four pantries based on the number of people each served. This year’s goal is to do a little bit better than last year.

The campaign is a project of the Tamaqua Area Faith Fellowship Network, a nonprofit organization of lay members of area churches which operates under the umbrella of the Tamaqua Area Community Partnership.