As excitement builds for Friday’s Palmerton-Jim Thorpe football showdown, the mayors of these Carbon County boroughs are once again placing a friendly wager, with a charitable twist, for the second consecutive year.

While the schools prepare to battle it out on the field, the communities are coming together to fight hunger through a spirited canned food drive.

Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. in Jim Thorpe, with canned goods welcome at the gate. Every item collected will go to a food pantry in Palmerton or Jim Thorpe.

Both communities’ food pantries benefited greatly from the 2022 canned food drive, and this year, they’re looking to build upon that success.

“It was a huge success last year,” Palmerton Mayor Don Herrmann said. “The food pantries in both communities benefited. It’s a win-win situation. The community wins because you are helping people who are fighting hunger, and you get to see a great football game between two great high schools.”

Jim Thorpe Mayor Michael Sofranko echoed that sentiment, emphasizing the importance of community support as the holiday season approaches.

“This isn’t just about the football game; we get the community, the bands, the cheerleaders, and everyone involved,” he said. “The holiday season is coming, and our food pantries need additional supplies to serve our communities.”

In terms of the bet, should the Palmerton Blue Bombers emerge victorious, Sofranko will have to don Bomber gear for his next regular council meeting. Conversely, if Jim Thorpe triumphs, Herrmann will be outfitted in Olympian attire when Palmerton Borough convenes next.

Last year’s friendly wager ended with Sofranko sporting Palmerton blue and white after a 54-29 Bombers victory.

The Palmerton and Jim Thorpe communities have been actively involved in donating canned goods leading up to the game. Palmerton students helped collect and organize items outside the gate last year, and Olympian students are poised to provide similar support this time around.

“I’m hopeful this will continue no matter who is sitting in this office for either town,” Sofranko said. “It’s a great event.”

The camaraderie extends beyond the mayors’ bet, as the rival coaches themselves have a unique connection. Palmerton coach Chris Walkowiak is a teacher at Jim Thorpe High School, while Jim Thorpe coach Mark Rosenberger serves as an administrator at L.B. Morris Elementary.

“It’s a rivalry, but it’s a lot of fun we have with both coaches,” said Jim Thorpe High School Principal Tom Lesisko. “You can be competitors but also have a lot of fun with it, and this food drive is for a great cause on Friday. We’re all excited.”

Both mayors said the true winners of the friendly wager and food drive are the individuals and families who will benefit from the generosity of these two communities.

“Mike will be wearing Palmerton gear for sure,” Herrmann said. “It’s all in jest, though. The main goal is to help the community and make sure our pantries have food for the holidays.”

Palmerton comes into the game looking to stay undefeated and move to 4-0, while Jim Thorpe is hoping to get to 2-2 after picking up its first win of the season last week over Salisbury.