The Northampton Area Food Bank is in urgent need of the following foods: fruit, fruit juice, applesauce, canned meats (Spam, chicken, stew, etc.), tuna, peanut butter, soup, pancake mix and syrup, and macaroni and cheese.

The food bank, 1601 Canal St., is open every Wednesday, 9:30 a.m.-noon, for drop-offs. If you'd like to donate but that time isn't convenient, call 610-262-8030 to set up another time.

The food bank will be holding its annual penny party on Sunday, Sept. 22 at Hope Lutheran Church, Cherryville.

Doors open at 1 p.m. The games begin at 2 p.m.

Baked goods and other food will be sold.

A Premier Designs jewelry show to benefit the food bank will be held Sunday, Oct. 13, 2-5 p.m., at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, 1904 Main St. This will be a walk-in fundraiser, with limited cash-and-carry items.

Refreshments will be served.

Sponsor sheets are also available for the annual "Scare Away Hunger" walkathon, to be held Saturday, Oct. 26. Registration will begin at 8:30 a.m. at the food bank, and the walk begins at 9 a.m.

The 4-1/2-mile walk continues along the Canal Park walkway to Municipal Park and back. Those planning to participate are encouraged to come in costume.

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A fall pasta dinner is will be held Saturday, Sept 28., 4-7 p.m. , at Holy Trinity Slovak Lutheran Church, 14th Street and Washington Avenue.

For tickets, call Maryann Moravek at 610-837-0956.

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The Northampton Area Historical Society will have a special speaker at its fall meeting, which is set for Thursday, Sept. 26, 7 p.m., in the social hall of Queenship of Mary Church, Canal Street.

The speaker will be Jeff Stocker, an attorney from Allentown, who has had a lifelong interest in the battle of Gettysburg. He will speak about Company D of the 153rd Regiment of the Pennsylvania Volunteers. Most of the men in the regiment, including Stocker's great-grandfather, were from Northampton County.

There is no charge to hear the speaker, but donations for the ongoing restoration of the station are always accepted.

The historical society will hold its fall garage sale on Saturday, Oct. 5, 8 a.m.-2 p.m., at the Siegfried Railroad Station on 21st Street. Donations from the public are needed for the sale. Items can be dropped off at the station on Thursday, Oct. 3 and Friday, Oct. 4, 6-8 p.m.

For more information on either of the historical society events, call 610-262-4748.

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Grace United Church of Christ, 902 Lincoln Ave., will hold a special church service Oct. 6, 10:30 a.m. to celebrate and reveal the new church mission statement.

All are welcome to attend.

For more information, call the church at 610-262-7186.

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Grace United Church of Christ, 902 Lincoln Ave., will run a bus trip to the American Music Theater in Lancaster on Nov. 16.

The bus will leave at noon from the Grace U.C.C. parking lot and will return at approximately 9 p.m.

The cost of a ticket includes the Christmas show and dinner at Good and Plenty Restaurant.

There are limited seats available. Deadline to reserve a seat is Sept. 29.

Call the church at 610-262-7186, Bonnie at 484-623-4450 or Ronnie at 610-262-7646.

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Fall children's programs will be held Oct. 22 through Dec. 12 at the Northampton Area Public Library, 1615 Laubach Ave. Children living in the Northampton Area School District are invited to participate.

Toddler Storytime, age 2, will be held Tuesdays, 11-11:20 a.m., or Wednesdays, 10-10:20 a.m.

Creative Preschoolers Storytime, age 3 and up, will be held Tuesdays, 10-10:45 a.m., or Wednesdays, 10:30-11:15 a.m.

Family Toddler/ Preschool Storytime will be held Tuesday evenings, 6:30-7 p.m.

The Storycraft Program for children in kindergarten, first or second grade will be offered Thursdays, 6-7 p.m.

Registration for the programs will begin in the library on Monday, Sept. 23 at 9 a.m. and continue until the sessions are filled. You must have a current library card to register.

For more information, call 610-262-7537.

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A basket bingo/Chinese auction, featuring Vera Bradley and Coach purses, will be held Sunday, Sept. 22, 1 p.m., at Tri-Boro Sportsmen Club.

Tickets are discounted if purchased before the event.

Contact Brenda Howells at 610-502-0202 or brendah3@rcn.com.

Proceeds will benefit the Northampton football team.

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The Northampton Memorial Community Center, 16th Street and Laubach Avenue, hosts bingo every Monday night. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., and the games begin at 7 p.m.

The kitchen is open.

Proceeds benefit the Northampton Recreation Center.

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Send in your news! Does your church, Scout troop or civic organization have an event coming up? Email the information to tklutter@ptd. net, and I'll include it in an upcoming column.