Groups spread Christmas cheer

About 250 meals were distributed in Lehighton this week thanks to a local business and nonprofit’s shared hope to spread the holiday cheer.

With help for Bo Tkach Foundation, which dedicates its work to youth mental health, Lehighton Ford spent Friday afternoon unloading a truck of frozen turkeys and bags of canned food from Country Harvest in Palmerton.

It was a combined effort between the foundation and the business.

Bill Klepeiss, general manager of Lehighton Ford, estimated the effort runs about $5,000.

“Our belief is give back to the community, to the people that need it,” he said. “That’s what we’re here for.

“We know there’s a lot of people with needs that aren’t being met.”

Distribution was easy. By early afternoon, Floyd Gruber, whose home church of St. John’s United Church of Christ received enough food to help 10 families, had his van packed and was en route to his Palmerton parish to hand out the holiday fare.

“It’s a good thing to do,” he said of the outreach.

“They’re (families) very appreciative of it … and we’re glad we can put it out to them.”