The 12th annual Tamaqua Area Campaign Against Hunger takes place during the entire month of October, culminating with a Community Soup Sale distribution on Nov. 4 and the Tamaqua Community Hunger Walk on Nov. 5.

For seven years the local hunger campaign was held in May, but due to the pandemic a virtual version of the campaign moved to the fall. Organizers, two of whom are planning to step down, decided then that the event would continue to be a fall event.

The campaign benefits community food pantries at American Primitive Methodist Church and Stokes Ministries, as well as The People’s Pantry at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church. It had also provided help to the food pantry at Trinity UCC, however, that pantry is ending operations. The pantries provide food to more than 300 families a month in the Tamaqua area.

Last year’s hunger campaign raised just over $15,000 and collected 85 boxes of food for the pantries. This year’s goal is $18,000 and 125 boxes of food.

The 2023 campaign has many moving parts including sponsorships, peer-to-peer solicitation, canned and dry good food collections, a “Dine Out” restaurant night, an online community soup sale, and virtual and in-person walks.

Campaign sponsorships are being sought from area businesses and organizations.

Virtual walkers are asked to register on the campaign’s Network for Good page at https://tacp.networkforgood.com/projects/203704-2023-tamaqua-hunger-campaign, and ask friends and family to support them through donations. Walkers are encouraged to post videos of their walks.

Organizations collecting food can contact Paulette Lacrosse at 570-926-4698 or Paul Dodson at 570-668-0289.

Campaign organizers are planning an online soup sale from Oct. 15 to 29. The soups will be provided by Tamaqua area churches, civic and service organizations and restaurants.

Those purchasing a quart of soup will also get a chance to win one of several gift certificates to Tamaqua area restaurants.

Churches, organizations and restaurants wishing to participate in the soup sale can contact Judy Hoppes at 570-778-7136 or George Taylor at 570-205-2454.

Area restaurants have been asked to host a “Dine Out Against Hunger” on Oct. 25 or 26 and donate some of the proceeds to the campaign. Restaurant owners wishing to participate can contact Taylor at 570-205-2454.

Taylor and Dodson, who have been with the campaign since its beginnings, have announced their plans to step down. They’re hoping to see others step up and help with this important cause.

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