Phoebus Lodge #82 donates $500 to Unadilla Valley Food Pantry
Phoebus Lodge #82 Treasurer William Johnson, Lodge Member Frank Johnson, Lodge Member Robert Root, and Lodge Secretary Terry Potter presenting a donation of $500 to Unadilla Valley Food Pantry Coordinator Anne Maynard and volunteers Barb Levinson, Penny Harrington, and Jean Westcott. (Submitted photo)
NEW BERLIN — The Freemasons Phoebus Lodge #82 recently donated $500 to the Unadilla Valley Food Pantry, located in the First United Methodist Church at 51 South Main Street in New Berlin.
According to NYMasons.org, "Freemasonry, or Masonry, is the world’s first and largest fraternity. Based on the belief that each man can make a difference in the world, Freemasonry enhances and strengthens the character of the individual man by providing opportunities for fellowship, charity, and education."
Phoebus Lodge #82 Secretary Terry Potter said the Lodge receives funding from the Louis E. and Francis Beatty Charitable Foundation each year, which allows them to support and serve their community through charitable donations.
"We try to stay true to what the Beatty funds are intended to do, and that’s to serve the community," said Potter.
"We try to identify organizations such as youth sports or the food pantry or other organizations that are doing great things within the community," he added. "The Lodge makes sure that the funds go to organizations that are helping out our community."
This year's donation to the food pantry will help support their mission of providing food to individuals and families facing food insecurity in the Unadilla Valley Central School District.
Unadilla Valley Food Pantry Coordinator Anne Maynard said they are partnered with the Food Bank of Central New York in Syracuse and provides primarily non-perishable grocery items for those in need.
Individuals can visit the pantry during their operating hours of 3 to 5 p.m. every Monday, excluding holidays, and fill out a registration form. Then, they are allowed to choose what items they would like from the pantry.
Maynard said they can provide individuals with enough food for three meals a day for three days, for a total of nine meals.
"We have a mixture of seniors, adults, and children, some grandparents with their grandchildren. It’s a mixture. It's just people that have a need for some food, and we help provide. We aren’t able to provide all their groceries, but I think it’s helpful. I hope it’s helpful," she said. "If we can help a little bit, then they can still get whatever else they might need. It just extends their budget."
Although the pantry is only open on Mondays, Maynard said their emergency line, 607-847-6350, is available for individuals to call if they are in need of food when the pantry isn't open. She said a volunteer will contact them within a day or so to arrange for them to visit the pantry and pick up groceries.
Maynard said the Unadilla Valley Food Pantry's service is made possible thanks to the generosity and support of community organizations, businesses, and individuals. This year, the pantry has received donations and support from St. Andrew’s Church, United Methodist Church, and St. Theresa’s Church, Preferred Mutual, Chobani, Phoebus Lodge #82 (Masons), the Future Farmers of America (FFA) of Unadilla Valley Central School, The Unadilla Valley Raceway, and the RC Smith Foundation, as well as several individual donors.
The donation from the Phoebus Lodge will go toward their upcoming Thanksgiving turkey giveaway.
"We are planning a Thanksgiving turkey giveaway, and the churches in the community – St. Theresa’s, St. Andrew’s, and United Methodist Church – each have taken on filling grocery bags full of a dinner with the fixings for a Thanksgiving meal. All the stuffing, instant potatoes, vegetables, desserts, quick breads, that kind of thing," Maynard explained. "There’s a grocery list attached to the grocery bags, and church membership goes out, purchases and fills these bags, and then we are going to buy turkeys."
Individuals in need of a free turkey for the holidays can visit the pantry on Monday, November 18 between 3 and 5 p.m. to sign up for the giveaway. Distribution of the turkeys will be held from 3 to 5 p.m. on Monday, November 25.
"We’re happy that we can be a part of a great community and give back when we can," said Potter. "This donation is just a small reflection of what the Masons are trying to do."
Those who would like to support the Unadilla Valley Food Pantry through volunteering can call the emergency number at 607-847-6350 to inquire. Individuals who would like to donate can drop off checks made out to the Unadilla Valley Food Pantry during their operating hours.
Individuals who are interested in joining the Freemasons Phoebus Lodge #82 can contact Potter at TPott71@yahoo.com.
According to NYMasons.org, "Freemasonry, or Masonry, is the world’s first and largest fraternity. Based on the belief that each man can make a difference in the world, Freemasonry enhances and strengthens the character of the individual man by providing opportunities for fellowship, charity, and education."
Phoebus Lodge #82 Secretary Terry Potter said the Lodge receives funding from the Louis E. and Francis Beatty Charitable Foundation each year, which allows them to support and serve their community through charitable donations.
"We try to stay true to what the Beatty funds are intended to do, and that’s to serve the community," said Potter.
"We try to identify organizations such as youth sports or the food pantry or other organizations that are doing great things within the community," he added. "The Lodge makes sure that the funds go to organizations that are helping out our community."
This year's donation to the food pantry will help support their mission of providing food to individuals and families facing food insecurity in the Unadilla Valley Central School District.
Unadilla Valley Food Pantry Coordinator Anne Maynard said they are partnered with the Food Bank of Central New York in Syracuse and provides primarily non-perishable grocery items for those in need.
Individuals can visit the pantry during their operating hours of 3 to 5 p.m. every Monday, excluding holidays, and fill out a registration form. Then, they are allowed to choose what items they would like from the pantry.
Maynard said they can provide individuals with enough food for three meals a day for three days, for a total of nine meals.
"We have a mixture of seniors, adults, and children, some grandparents with their grandchildren. It’s a mixture. It's just people that have a need for some food, and we help provide. We aren’t able to provide all their groceries, but I think it’s helpful. I hope it’s helpful," she said. "If we can help a little bit, then they can still get whatever else they might need. It just extends their budget."
Although the pantry is only open on Mondays, Maynard said their emergency line, 607-847-6350, is available for individuals to call if they are in need of food when the pantry isn't open. She said a volunteer will contact them within a day or so to arrange for them to visit the pantry and pick up groceries.
Maynard said the Unadilla Valley Food Pantry's service is made possible thanks to the generosity and support of community organizations, businesses, and individuals. This year, the pantry has received donations and support from St. Andrew’s Church, United Methodist Church, and St. Theresa’s Church, Preferred Mutual, Chobani, Phoebus Lodge #82 (Masons), the Future Farmers of America (FFA) of Unadilla Valley Central School, The Unadilla Valley Raceway, and the RC Smith Foundation, as well as several individual donors.
The donation from the Phoebus Lodge will go toward their upcoming Thanksgiving turkey giveaway.
"We are planning a Thanksgiving turkey giveaway, and the churches in the community – St. Theresa’s, St. Andrew’s, and United Methodist Church – each have taken on filling grocery bags full of a dinner with the fixings for a Thanksgiving meal. All the stuffing, instant potatoes, vegetables, desserts, quick breads, that kind of thing," Maynard explained. "There’s a grocery list attached to the grocery bags, and church membership goes out, purchases and fills these bags, and then we are going to buy turkeys."
Individuals in need of a free turkey for the holidays can visit the pantry on Monday, November 18 between 3 and 5 p.m. to sign up for the giveaway. Distribution of the turkeys will be held from 3 to 5 p.m. on Monday, November 25.
"We’re happy that we can be a part of a great community and give back when we can," said Potter. "This donation is just a small reflection of what the Masons are trying to do."
Those who would like to support the Unadilla Valley Food Pantry through volunteering can call the emergency number at 607-847-6350 to inquire. Individuals who would like to donate can drop off checks made out to the Unadilla Valley Food Pantry during their operating hours.
Individuals who are interested in joining the Freemasons Phoebus Lodge #82 can contact Potter at TPott71@yahoo.com.
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