LUZERNE COUNTY, Pa. — The tradition for Rock 107's Prospector's annual Pantry Raid is back for year number 22.
The food drive features radio host Prospector driving the street-legal grocery store cart across Lackawanna and Luzerne Counties to help feed neighboring families in need.
Every year, the radio station collects monetary and food donations for CEO Weinberg Food Bank.
With rising prices at the grocery store, more people are turning to food banks throughout our area. That makes an annual food drive more important than ever, and there is still time to get involved in this year's Pantry Raid.
When radio host Prospector from Rock 107 is in the passenger seat, his 11-foot shopping cart stops traffic.
"You see so many dropped jaws and people just whipping their heads around and are going 'What the?'" he said.
It's all to help families in need across Lackawanna and Luzerne Counties as part of Prospector's Pantry Raid.
"Food insecurity, food needs are in demand almost all year round, and as you get towards the holidays, they get worse. But now, with inflation being so high, and the Fed raising interest rates, and everything just getting so expensive, it's just more than ever," Prospector explained.
Prospector is driving around Lackawanna and Luzerne Counties collecting food and donations for the CEO Weinberg Food Bank.
Those donations are then distributed to food banks across northeastern Pennsylvania.
The CEO Weinberg Food Bank relies on donations to keep up with the growing demand. Executive Director Jen Warabak says the number of families in need is at an all-time high.
"We're in a time where we have a lot of families, a lot of individuals are coming to us for the first time, and we're seeing it for the first time that they don't know what to do, and they don't know where their next meal is coming from," Warabak mentioned.
So, Prospector is traveling to all 14 Gerrity's locations and other businesses, bringing the donation bins to the public.
"They don't know where to donate, so we bring the donation bins to you, so when you're in the store, you could pick up a few items, or if you're coming to the store, you can bring food from your own pantry, and bring things in to fill the cart," Warabak added.
The oversized shopping cart is more than a spectacle; it's a way to combat the stigma around food insecurity.
"The cost of everything right now, including rent and utilities, are astronomical. So, anything we can do to supplement a household at this point is what is important," said Warabak.
The Pantry Raid runs Monday, October 23, and Tuesday, October 24, so be on the lookout for a giant grocery cart riding through your neighborhood.
You can help by donating at the checkout at any of the Gerrity's Supermarkets, online at gerritys.com, or by dropping off your gift at Century Dental Associates in Eynon or NET Credit Union locations.
SCHEDULE FOR Monday, October 23:
- Gerrity's The Fresh Grocer - Hanover Twp. at 5:30 a.m.
- Wyoming Seminary - Kingston at 9:30 a.m.
- Gerrity's Ace Hardware - Shavertown at 10:30 a.m.
- Gerrity's The Fresh Grocer - Luzerne at 11:15 a.m.
- Gerrity's the Fresh Grocer - Wyoming at noon
- Gerrity's the Fresh Grocer - West Pittston at 1:30 p.m.
- NET Credit Union - Main St. Taylor at 2:45 p.m.
- Gerrity's The Fresh Grocer - Moosic at 4 p.m.
SCHEDULE FOR Tuesday, October 24:
- Gerrity's The Fresh Grocer & Gerrity's Ace Hardware - Keyser Ave. at 5:30 a.m.
- Lehigh Valley Health Network - Dickson City Hospital at 9:30 a.m.
- Dickson City Hyundai at 10:30 a.m.
- Century Dental - Eynon at 11:15 a.m.
- Gerrity's Ace Hardware - Peckville at noon
- Gerrity's Ace Hardware - Clarks Summit at 1:15 p.m.
- Gerrity's The Fresh Grocer - Clarks Summit at 1:45 p.m.
- Gerrity's The Fresh Grocer - West Scranton at 2:45 p.m.
- Gerrity's The Fresh Grocer - Meadow Ave. at 4 p.m.
Check out WNEP's YouTube channel.