Farmers, local businesses and individuals are contributing items for an auction at Agape New Testament Fellowship Church, 5229 Route 873, Schnecksville, 1 p.m. on June 20.

Proceeds will be directed to the food pantry at the Agape church, which serves about 50 families a month.

Some funds may also be given to Second Harvest Food Bank, which helps people at various locations throughout the Lehigh Valley.

Agape is affiliated with Second Harvest.

Organizer of the auction Dennis Atiyeh of Rising Son Farm, Schnecksville, reports he and other farmers have been doing outreach to more than 20 food banks for the past 10 years.

He commented on the reason for the auction.

"We want to bring some awareness right here in our own community there are families in need, Atiyeh said. "We've been blessed, and we want to help.

"If one person or farmer at a time donates a little bit, it will go a long way. Jesus' great commandment was to feed the hungry.

"We're hoping to raise a good amount of money. Agape will get the majority, but some will go to other food banks, too."

Items for the auction will be displayed at Agape, some in a large space at the rear of the church, starting June 15, although donations will be accepted until the start of the sale.

Auctioneer John Pfeiffer Jr. who is volunteering his time for the event, has listed an inventory of equipment to be sold.

The items' list may be viewed at AuctionZip.com.

Farm equipment includes a John Deere six-bay corn or soybean planter, a 1566 International tractor, New Holland hay binder and baler, steel 500 gallon irrigation storage unit with portable steel trailer, and apull behind diesel generator with portable lamps.

Additional large items include a 1994 GMC 5-ton dump truck, a 40-foot greenhouse frame with studs, and hay by the ton to be delivered at no charge.

Rising Son Farm has donated cords of hardwood, mulch and screened topsoil.

There will also be large fiberglass storage tanks and one or two steel truck trailers for sale.

True Value, Route 873, Schnecksville, is giving outdoor furniture and artificial Christmas trees.

Other items include tools, a welding generator, and a 4-foot, above ground pool.

Atiyeh said some of the equipment is brand new and some is used, but all are in working condition.

Donors of the items may specify whether or not they prefer to keep a portion of the proceeds, but at least 20 percent of the sale price goes to the food bank.

Bids may be made on the Internet, by phone or silent in person.

Refreshments will be available at the sale.

Atiyeh stressed the need to publicize food banks and the work done there.

"I'm trying to push volunteerism," he said. "These places need help. We have to get people to understand right here in our back yard there are families in need. It's a blessing to be able to help people."

Agape church will have an indoor and outdoor yard sale 8 a.m.-2 p.m. June 19 and 8 a.m.-noon June 20 to benefit the Vacation Bible School program and the youth ministry.

For more information on the auction, call Atiyeh at 610-799-5037 or Pfeiffer at 610-849-6044.