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.