A Palmerton business has made a generous donation to a local food pantry in advance of the upcoming Bo Tkach Foundation 5K Turkey Trot.

Jim and Tiffani Christman of The Jim Christman Team on Tuesday presented a $1,000 check to the Christian Action Council of Palmerton Area Churches.

“Because of a growing need of product for CACPAC, we decided to tie in a monetary donation to them with the Bo Tkach Memorial Turkey Trot, an event we help organize,” Jim Christman said. “It’s an amazing cause, and last year we asked participants to donate food items.

Tiffani Christman said they were hoping this helps encourage more people to drop off canned goods as well.

Participants are asked to bring a nonperishable food item to The Jim Christman Team office in Palmerton, as well as to the Turkey Trot, for the food pantry.

“We soon realized that the pantry had too many of some items they didn’t have space for and too few of items they needed,” Jim Christman said. “We wanted to try to fill that gap by donating funds so the CACPAC operators could get what is needed.

“They have a tremendous operation there and we wanted to lend support. The community has been so good to us so we try to help wherever we can.”

The donation was presented to CACPAC and was accepted by Susie Arner, co-director of the Palmerton Food Pantry, who expressed her gratitude toward The Jim Christman Team. She stressed the importance of families having food on their tables for Thanksgiving Day and also noted that winter and its higher heating costs are on the way, a challenge for many.

“On behalf of the Palmerton Food Pantry, and CACPAC as a whole, we want to thank them for their generous donation, which helps not only feed people, but also nourish hope for families in our community who are facing difficult times,” Arner said. “We want to thank them for being a vital part of our mission to help others in our community and surrounding area who are in need.”

The foundation will once again sponsor its annual Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving Day, beginning at 9 a.m. in the Palmerton Park. Registration is from 8 a.m. to 8:45 a.m. The race starts promptly at 9 a.m.

The event starts in the Palmerton Borough Park, Third Street and Delaware Avenue, and proceeds through town. It is open to runners (and walkers) of all ages.

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

Registrations should be mailed to: The Jim Christman Team Office — Keller Williams Real Estate, 362 Delaware Ave., Palmerton, PA, 18071 or through https://www.pretzelcitysports.com/online-registration.

For registration questions, contact The Jim Christman Team at 610-826-8100.

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