Hawley Lions donate $10K to local organizations fighting hunger

Peter Becker, Tri-County Independent
·3 min read

Not many lions are known to freely share their food. The Hawley Lake Wallenpaupack Lions Club does it every year, after sitting at area supermarkets collecting donations for several local free food programs. On April 20, they presented $10,000 to seven organizations giving food to the needy.

Checks were presented for the Lakeville Food Pantry; Good Cheer Food Pantry at St. Luke Lutheran Church, Greeley; St. Paul's Community Food Pantry; First Presbyterian Church, Hawley - Freezer Ministry; Queen of Peace Catholic Church, Hawley - "Bag a Month" Food Collection Program; Lackawaxen Township Care Cabin Food Distribution; and Wallenpaupack Our Kid's Food Pantry.

The Hawley Lake Wallenpaupack Lions Club started collecting donations for food pantries and programs for 10 years, since 2013. With their yellow vests, Lions set up at the front door of Lake Region IGA at various times during the year, given by shoppers.

From left: Back row: Dave and Carol Carroll, Lakeville Food Pantry; Ronald Schmalzle, Good Cheer Food Pantry; Rosemary Martynuk, Wallenpaupack Our Kid's Food Pantry; Carol Monson, St. Paul's Food Pantry; Jeff Thompson, Lackawaxen Care Cabin Food Pantry. Middle row: Lions member Pat Bartleson; Anne Schamlzle, Good Cheer Food Pantry; Connie Conrad, Queen of Peace Food Pantry; Barbara Cleveland, St. Paul's; Bergit Pinkston, Lackawaxen Care Cabin. Front: Lions members John Nichols and Kathy Schaffer. Not pictured: Pastor Mark Juengel, 1st Presbyterian Church, Hawley - Freezer Ministry.

Their first year gathered $650 and was divided among four food pantries. Giving has steadily grown. The distribution of $10,000 just made was from their 2022 collections and aided seven organizations providing free food to those in need. The Lions note that 100% of the donation is distributed. They have also set up at Dave's Super Duper market in recent years.

A press release from the Hawley Lake Wallenpaupack Lions expresses thanks to the IGA and the many who gave.The local Lions Club was chartered in March 1973. In keeping with the mission of Lions Club International, their first priority is to give free eye exams and glasses to community members who are financially challenged. They started a similar program with hearing aids a few years ago.

Hawley Lions support the Beacon Lodge for the Blind, the Leader Dog program, and collect used glasses to be recycled. Hawley Lions meets on the third Thursday of the month at the First Presbyterian Church, Hawley.

For more information about the Hawley Lions, contact any Lion member, or call Judy Potratz at 570-493-2100.

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Where to get help:

  • Lackawaxen Township Care Cabin Food Distribution: 169 Urban Road, 8 to 11 a.m., every fourth Saturday of the month. Call 570-685-7288 for more info.

  • Lakeville Food Pantry: Paupack Township Building, 25 Daniels Rd., Lakeville, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., every fourth Thursday of the month. For more info call Clarissa Wimmers, Wayne County Food Pantry Program, 570-253-4262.

  • First Presbyterian Church Freezer Ministry: 815 Church St., Hawley, 570-226-4835

  • Good Cheer Food Pantry at St. Luke Lutheran Church, 229 Route 590, Greeley, 570-685-4221

  • "Bag a Month" Food Collection Program at Queen of Peace Catholic Church: 314 Chestnut Ave., Hawley, 570-226-3183

  • St. Paul's Community Food Pantry: 405 Church St., Hawley, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thursdays. For more info call 570-226-2411.

  • Wallenpaupack Our Kid's Food Pantry: Call Rosemary Martynuk for more information at 570-226-4557.

This article originally appeared on Tri-County Independent: Hawley Lions Club gives food programs in northern Poconos a boost