Volunteers distributing food boxes in Coaldale are seeing a growing need among people struggling during the pandemic.

Soon, the volunteer effort will be able to serve even more people from a new location inside the former Coaldale High School.

On Tuesday, Coaldale Borough Council gave resident Kathy Montesrin approval to use space inside the Coaldale Complex for a weekly food distribution.

Montesrin said she’s been providing food boxes for more than 100 people a week during the pandemic. The need continues to increase, and she’s had to turn people away.

“There’s a humongous need for food here. I handed out in excess of over 125 boxes over two days,” she said.

She distributes the boxes on behalf of The Community Mission, a church that runs food pantry events in Carbon and Schuylkill counties.

Community Mission’s primary food distribution locations are in Lehighton, Minersville, and Shenandoah.

The boxes are provided through the U.S. Department of Agriculture. They contain milk, eggs, meat and produce.

Currently, Kathy and another volunteer drive to Lehighton and Shenandoah and bring them back to Coaldale. Montesrin distributes the boxes from her home and gets the word out through Free Shop Coaldale, a nonprofit which connects people with donations through a Facebook group.

But even with over 100 meals distributed a week in Coaldale, there are still unfulfilled requests for food boxes.

“It’s killing me to turn people away. I do it every week. I go and pull food out of my own freezer,” she said.

Getting the dedicated space is the first step in expanding the distribution in Coaldale.

With a dedicated space, Montesrin hopes to secure a dedicated delivery of food boxes to Coaldale. That would relieve her of the need to pick up the boxes in her personal vehicle.

Council members said they will work on preparing a space inside the complex, which is currently vacant.

“We admire what you’re doing. We’re just grateful that you’re doing it,” said Councilwoman Claire Remington.

Until things are finalized, Montesrin said she will continue distributing boxes from her porch in Coaldale.

For distribution dates and times and updates on the expansion of the food distribution in Coaldale, check out Free Shop Coaldale on Facebook.

The Community Mission’s distribution in Lehighton takes place every Tuesday, noon-3 p.m., at Claypoole’s General Store, 101 N. First St.