Jim Thorpe Memorial Hall was transformed into a one-stop shop for senior citizens Thursday during the 2017 Senior Citizen Expo, sponsored by state Rep. Doyle Heffley and Sen. John Yudichak.

The event, held 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. was popular with area seniors even before it started. It was reported that a line stretching from the entrance of the hall and through the parking lot was seen at 9 a.m. as seniors gathered to find information about anything from health to veteran affairs benefits and everything in between.Fifty-three vendors were set up around the hall and provided everything a senior could need, including free blood sugar and cholesterol screenings, flu shots and goodies galore."It's a phenomenal turnout," Heffley said. "I think it may be one of our biggest events ever."He added that more than 1,100 seniors attended the event.Heffley also thanked the sponsors who made the expo a reality."It was an overwhelming crowd here," Yudichak said. "Every year it gets bigger and better."We do this for our seniors, but really the Carbon County community comes out and we're so thrilled to have them, so thrilled to be a part of it. This is the way that government should work, Democrats and Republicans working together, delivering services to people in need and our seniors that came out in Carbon County, they responded by showing up and being a part of this and we can't be more thankful for their attendance."The hall was still buzzing with seniors two hours after the doors finally opened. Once done, seniors were also treated to a free lunch, prepared by students at Carbon Career & Technical Institute, and door prizes.Ninety-year-old Frances Binder of Palmerton, who has attended the event for multiple years, said she wasn't disappointed with the selection of agencies who were set up."I loved it," she said, adding that the event also allows her to get out and mingle with friends.The event also raised awareness of a countywide problem, hunger.Yudichak and Heffley asked seniors to bring nonperishable food items, which will then be donated to area food banks.By noon, multiple cans at the entryway were stuffed to the brim with canned and other food items.