Folks will have the chance to enjoy some delicious food while helping out the Palmerton Food Pantry on Friday, the first day of summer.

The Christian Action Council of Palmerton Area Churches, which oversees the pantry at St. John’s Towamensing Lutheran Church, is hosting the Pocono Potato Chip food truck from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. The truck will be in the 400 block of Delaware Avenue adjacent to the borough park and across the street from the pharmacy. Pantry volunteers will be on hand to collect donations of nonperishable food and pass out information.

Pantry co-director Susan Arner and representatives from other area pantries predict the need for food to continue despite the arrival of the lazy days of summer.

“The pantry staff expects to be busier with school being out as parents experience a greater demand on their grocery bills,” Arner said. “Families now have children eating three meals a day at home versus school lunches and school breakfast at their disposal.”

In some areas, school students 18 and under can receive free meals through the state’s Summer Food Service Program during summer months when school is not in session. For example, the Palmerton Middle School offers breakfasts on weekdays to eat on-site. To find other participating locations, call 866-3-HUNGRY.

Arner explained that the ever-rising cost of groceries has had an impact on the number of families experiencing food insecurities.

“Our numbers have increased over the last nine to 12 months from an average of 100 families to an average of 140 families,” she noted.

Arner said that volunteers will be at the food truck fundraiser to collect nonperishable food and monetary donations.

“The current needed foods are cereal, tuna, canned vegetables such as green beans and peas, as well as healthy snacks for families,” Arner said. “Often appreciated are grab-and-go items like cereal bars, granola bars, Pop Tarts, fruit snacks, jelly and crackers.”

Volunteers will also have information available for those interested in food assistance qualifications.

The pantry also participates in the senior food box distribution, Arner said. The program is for those age 60 and older who meet the income guidelines.

The Palmerton pantry at 2915 Fireline Road is open on the second Saturday and fourth Friday of each month from 9 a.m. to noon.

The Rev. Rick Clemson of the American Primitive Methodist Food Pantry in Tamaqua said the Hunter Street pantry serves about 500 neighbors each month.

The number is down by about 50 or more because the pantry had to begin limiting its distribution to Schuylkill County residents.

“I must say that even with the rising prices, many people, churches and organizations are being very generous with donations which speaks much about the community we live in,” Clemson said.

Often, he said, numbers of those served fluctuate based on the weather.

That’s also true at the Grace Community Church Panther Valley Food Pantry in Lansford.

“It really comes and goes depending on the weather, and what events are going on in the community,” explained pantry volunteer Vicky Benack. “It’s funny because even if it’s a nice day, you would think a lot of people would come out to the pantry — but then sometimes it’s a nice day and they’re doing things so they’re not there.”

The pantry, she said, adds an average of 10 new families each month.

“We even have people who are homeless who are coming,” Benack said.

On average, she noted, the pantry sees about 130 households each month.

“We don’t turn anyone away,” she said.