ALLENTOWN, Pa. — Drivers can drop off non-perishable food and cleaning supplies for the Allentown Rescue Mission’s 26th annual Thanks for Giving Food & Supplies Drive at both Josh Early Candies stores from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14, with former heavyweight champion Larry Holmes on hand at the Allentown store.
The drive-thru drop-off is at Josh Early Candies, 4640 Tilghman St. in Allentown and 3620 Nazareth Pike in Bethlehem, the mission said in a release Thursday. The mission says it relies on the drive to feed the nearly 1,000 men it shelters each year over the holidays and to restock its pantry for the year ahead.
Holmes, who grew up in Easton, will be at the Allentown store from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. iHeartRadio personality Mike Mittman will broadcast from the store from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Both will be available for photos with donors, the mission said. Cumulus Radio personalities will be at the Bethlehem store.
The mission is asking for food and cleaning supplies, and its drive page sends donors to its needed-supplies page for the current list. The release describes the drive as non-perishable food and cleaning supplies.
The page’s urgently needed food includes ground coffee, cereal, granola, single-serve fruit cups, bottled water, grocery-store gift cards, fresh produce and meats such as chicken, beef, pork and fish. Urgently needed cleaning and household items are toilet paper, paper towels, Pine-Sol, bar and hand soap and disinfecting wipes.
The mission asks for turkey breasts or legs rather than whole turkeys or hams because its freezer space is limited.
At the 2024 drive-thru, the first at the Josh Early stores, workers also took frozen and fresh food such as chicken breasts and ground beef, development associate Lauren Baatz said then. Donors unsure whether an item will be taken can call 610-740-5500.
People who can’t come Nov. 14 can use one of the satellite drop-off sponsors the drive page lists, among them Embassy Bank, ESSA Bank and Paychex. The page gives no addresses. Donations are also accepted at the mission’s front door, 355 Hamilton St., with weekday hours of 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday and until 4 p.m. on Fridays.
The mission is also running a Meal Match Challenge through November to raise money for perishable food such as fruits, vegetables and dairy. Donors will match every dollar given, the mission said. Donors can join by calling Marlena at 610-740-5500, ext. 325.
Last year’s drive, held Nov. 8 at Josh Early Candies, raised more than 5,000 pounds of food at the event, the mission said in a Nov. 15 Facebook post. Counting satellite sites open through Nov. 23, the total passed 11,000 pounds, the mission said Nov. 24.
The mission, at 355 Hamilton St., has served men in crisis since 1900, according to its website.
