Staff writer Laura Rysz talks to Rock 107’s Prospector about his upcoming Pantry Raid, which collects non-perishable items for food banks throughout the region.
Residence: Scranton
Professional background: Radio personality since 1987 and with Times-Shamrock Communications radio station Rock 107 since December 1988
Title: Morning show host and inventor of Prospector’s Pantry Raid
Q: How many years has this been a tradition?
A: We have been doing this for 18 years. We started collecting in the fall at some local malls, then after a couple of years, we got involved with Gerrity’s Supermarkets and eventually moved it to the summer to help at a time when the food banks are especially short on supplies.
Q: What items are you collecting?
A: Bring any nonperishable food items or cash donations.
Q: How will proceeds be used?
A: All the food and money raised with be donated to the Commission on Economic Opportunity Weinberg Food Bank, which distributes to pantries all over Northeast Pennsylvania.
Q: What is unique about this event?
A: How often do you see a 12-foot-high, street- legal shopping cart driving down the street? We hit up about 12 locations throughout NEPA in two days, load the food into vehicles from Ken Pollock Mitsubishi and drop it off at the Commission on Economic Opportunity Weinberg Food Bank so that it gets where it’s needed quickly.
If you go
What: Prospector’s Pantry Raid
When: Thursday, Aug. 8, and Friday, Aug. 9
Where: All Gerrity’s locations throughout Lackawanna and Luzerne counties as well as NET Federal Credit Union on Mulberry Street, Scranton, and Ken Pollock Mitsubishi, Carbondale
Details: For more information, visit rock107.com.
Laura Rysz is the features copy editor and calendar editor at The Times-Tribune and runs the Talk of the Times column, which focuses on local fundraisers and other events. She also writes Chef’s Table that profiles restaurants around the region. Additionally, Laura curates events online on AccessNEPA.com. Laura is involved in the special Mother’s Day edition and curates occasional features Marry Memories and Times Travelers. She is a graduate of Haddonfield Memorial High School, New Jersey, and earned an English professional writing degree with a minor in mass communications from King’s College, Wilkes-Barre. She also earned a certificate in Social Media Marketing from Rutgers Business School. Contact: lrysz@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9100 x5228.
