A charity dance will be held from 7 to 10 p.m. Saturday at the Lehighton Boys' and Girls' Band Hall to benefit the Trinity Food Pantry at Trinity Lutheran Church in Lehighton.

The dance is sponsored by the Home Town Dance Group in Lehighton."We love to dance," said group member and organizer LaRae Hlavaty. "When our group has enough money to sponsor a dance, we have a charity dance."Dance group members discussed charities that they would like to support, then choose one charity from a hat to support during each dance. The group has had nearly a half-dozen charity dance since forming two years ago. Past dances have supported local animal shelters, the Special Olympics and more.Music will be provided by DJ Mike Peters."It's a little bit of everything," Hlavaty said of past music at their charity dances."Sometimes we're doing the Electric Slide, and sometimes we're doing the polka or the Jitterbug."She noted that in the past, the group and dancers tended to stick mainly to oldies, but they will also slow dance and have a lot of variety."They can expect to have a good time, and to meet the nicest people," Hlavaty said.Dance partners are welcome to attend together, but singles are invited as well. Members of the Home Town Dance Group will typically offer to serve as a dance partner if someone is sitting out dances - but those who want to just listen to the music and watch others dance, while supporting a good cause, are also welcome.All ticket sales and food sale proceeds will be donated to the pantry. Nonperishable food donations will also be accepted.The Home Town Dance Group meets at least twice monthly with a dance instructor and to practice as a group. They enjoy dancing primarily to ballroom dance styles. During a recent lesson, they met with an instructor from Easton to review the cha cha. The first lesson for new members is considered an introductory lesson, at no cost."It's an incentive to come out and join us," said member Bonnie Cortese. "We're looking for new members all of the time. We're learning to enjoy dance."The Trinity Food Pantry serves needy families throughout the Lehighton Area School District. It is one of nine Carbon County food distribution centers associated with Shepherd House, Inc.The Lehighton Boys' and Girls' Band Hall is located at 6th and Cypress Streets in Lehighton.