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Here is our Community Spotlight on The Good Samaritan Lodge (Masons), who runs food drives multiple times a year. Each month, The Reading Food Pantry will update you on Pantry news, spotlight our volunteers and community members who make a difference at the pantry, and let you know how to help.

Three times a year, the Good Samaritan Lodge (Masons) in Reading organizes a food drive to support the Reading Food Pantry. Led by longtime coordinator Stephen Gousie, these drives typically take place in October, March, and June.

Before each drive, Stephen reaches out to us for a list of most-needed items, which is then shared with Lodge members and their sister organization, the Priscilla Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star. Stephen also organizes volunteers to staff the drive, which takes place on a Saturday morning and includes a community coffee and donut gathering.

During the event, volunteers collect and sort incoming donations, then deliver the items to the pantry during our Wednesday donation drop-off window from 4:30 to 6:00 p.m.

As Stephen puts it:

“Masonry is about service and fellowship. For us, it is always a great time for giving! And the best place for us to have the most impact on our community is the Reading Food Pantry.”

We’re so grateful to the Masons, their volunteers, and their generous network of donors for their ongoing support!

Interested in hosting a drive with your group? Email us! We're happy to provide a custom needs list and answer any questions.