The holidays may be over, but that doesn’t mean the work stops for local food pantries.

People still need to pay their Christmas bills, not to mention their costly heating and utility bills.

With so many high tabs to pay this time of year, families in need continue to rely on their local food banks/pantries.

Palmerton Food Pantry, housed at St. John’s Lutheran Church along Fireline Road in Palmerton, is sponsored by the Christian Action Council of Palmerton Area Churches.

Susie Arner, co-director, Palmerton Food Pantry, said numbers currently remain high, with about a 10% decrease in the total number of families coming regularly.

“Even with the decline in the total number of families, we still see five to eight new families per month coming for services,” Arner said. “Some families say they downsized their holiday bills, but are still struggling to make ends meet each month.”

Arner said the pantry continues to be open twice a month (second Saturday of each month, and the fourth Friday of each month) “and we have a great group of dedicated volunteers who are pleased to serve without any judgment.”

New volunteers are always welcome, said Arner, who added “all donations go a long way.”

“It’s a very rewarding experience seeing how appreciative folks are for the assistance,” she said. “We are pleased to say that we continue to see donations from the local churches, civic groups, businesses and individuals, which is

This year, the food pantry will be open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Feb. 10 and 23, March 9 and 22, April 13 and 26, May 11 and 24, June 8 and 28, July 13 and 26, Aug. 10 and 23, Sept. 14 and 27, Oct. 12 and 25, Nov. 9 and 22, and Dec. 20.

Arner said cash donations may be sent to CACPAC, P.O. Box 213, Aquashicola, PA, 18012.

For more information, contact Arner at 484-522-8899.

Trinity Food Pantry in Lehighton serves families in the Lehighton Area School District only.

Carolyn Long, coordinator, said that while the weather hasn’t been in the pantry’s favor this month, the need for food has not changed.

“Every week we have people who have not been into the pantry before,” Long said. “We also find that we are serving many more larger families. I’ve had people say due to the increase of their bills – electric, fuel, etc. coming to the Trinity Pantry for food is a big help.

“We try to give the people as much food as we are able. The holidays did bring more donations, money or food items which is always a big boost for us.”

Long added “there are so many generous, caring and sharing people in our Lehighton community. We are so grateful.

“Also, we have many great organizations who donate all year long,” she said. “Many thanks to our community.”

Regular distributions are from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesdays, and 5:30-7 p.m. the third Tuesday of the month. For more information, contact Trinity Lutheran Church, 610-377-4303, or on Facebook (Trinity Lutheran Church, Lehighton).

Karena Thek, director of the West End Food Pantry in Kunkletown, noted that it’s been a bit of a mild winter thus far.

“But as it gets colder, the heating bills will kick in, which means less disposable income for folks on a tight budget to meet and pay for everything,” said Thek, who added the pantry feeds a significant amount of senior citizens and people with disabilities on fixed incomes. “The heating season can be a time of struggles for people that just get social security.”

Thek said the pantry has fed 626 families this month that included 31 babies for which they provide baby food and diapers; 263 kiddos between the ages of 2-12 that got some snacks; 119 teenagers; 740 adults; 535 senior citizens.

Unfortunately, she said, “donations are at an all-time low, so it’s been tough to get enough donations to keep up with the need.”

Thek said the best way for people to give their donations is to email karena@westendfoodpantry.org to schedule a time for drop off.

“Volunteers are always needed too,” she said. “We could use the help all year round.”

Thek said the pantry distributes food from 9 a.m. to noon on the first and third Saturday of each month.

“We do feed by ZIP codes,” she said. “We feed multiple ZIP codes in Carbon and Monroe County.”

Thek encouraged people to visit the pantry’s website, westendpantry.com, which gives a list of ZIP codes.

She said no bags are needed, and added they are still on a drive-thru system.

“We love teams coming in and team-building,” Thek said. “So if you are a group, a sports team, a corporation looking for some place to put a team to help the community, I think we provide a great opportunity for that.”