The owners of one Schuylkill County restaurant were busy today preparing and dishing out 200 free meals to the community.

We're told the owners of Big Diamond Speedway in Pottsville teamed up with one Monroe County business to provide the funds to make these free meals possible.

There was a long line forming outside of Palermo's as people were awaiting to get their hands on one of 200 free meals thanks to donations from Big Diamond Speedway in Pottsville and Big Creek Concrete in Kunkletown.

We're told this is just one of many ways these two businesses want to pay it forward to the community.

One resident from Pottsville told her family she was not cooking tonight and getting them Palermo’s.

“It’s incredible because the prices of food, its ridiculous. I keep asking what’s going on? Am I missing something?”

“So being able to give back like this a lot of people need that. This is rewarding, and I am so happy that they are doing this. I want to tell them to keep up the great job that they are doing.” Said Yamain.

The meals included spaghetti with meatballs, salad and roll with butter.

Jodie Hurtz, bartender and waitress at Palermo’s, handed out those free meals to customers.

“It’s great everyone is thankful at the door, and its just very humbling.”

Hurtz tells FOX56 many people are hurting these day and this was great way to help out those who may be on hard times.

“They are very thankful, very thankful. Everyone is saying thank you and that they are very happy.”

Community members here tell me this was such a kind gesture in a time where prices are extremely high.