A local restaurant is teaming with a food service organization to make dinner for over 100 essential personnel to be distributed on Easter.

Joey B’s in Palmerton has banded with Schiff’s Food Service, of Taylor, Lackawanna County, to make and donate dinner for police, EMT/paramedic and 911 personnel.

Chip Solt, owner of Joey B’s, said the goal is to have all the food delivered and ready to eat by 4 p.m. He said volunteers have agreed to pick up the food and distribute it.

“We’re trying to time it; pickups start here at 3:15,” Solt said. “We’re going to be doing the furthest points first, and the goal is to have everyone eating by 4.”

Solt said that as of Friday afternoon, they were at about 110 dinners, which will include a salad with dressing, ham, mashed potatoes, corn, green beans, and a dessert.

“I cannot even begin to thank the patrons that come in here; they’re phenomenal people,” he said. “It’s our goal to just try and make as many people as possible happy, and right now they’re returning the favor.”

Among the local organizations set to receive meals are as follows:

• Jim Thorpe, Lehighton, Palmerton, Slatington, Walnutport, Franklin Township, and Lehigh Township police departments, Lehighton State Police.

• Jim Thorpe 911; Jim Thorpe ALS; Lehighton ALS; Palmerton EMS; Slatington EMS; Carbon County prison guards

Solt explained how the arrangement was worked out.

“Schiff’s Food Service had contacted us and said (they) are willing to donate 100 meals that you guys can allocate to give to needy families,” he said. “My wife and I talked about it and I said ‘that’s a wonderful idea’, but how about the people that are out there working and are going to be away from their families this year?

Solt said initially the plan was for he and his staff to deliver the meals, but that was before he put an ad on his business’ Facebook page stating that they were looking for some help.

“Kudos to our local community; my phone didn’t stop,” he said. “The messages that I got from (everyone) were amazing.”

Solt said a woman told him she wanted to see if she could help offset the cost, and ended up sending him a private donation of $1,000 on Thursday.

“It’s making sure that people that have to be away from family that day, making sure they’re being taken care of,” he said. “Our goal is to give back to the guys that are out there working.

“We’re here, and we’re doing our best to give back to the community.”