Veterans help veterans at food distribution in Reading - Reading Eagle

There was a sense of camaraderie outside of the Paul R. Gordon Veteran Social Center at the Hope Rescue Mission in Reading Saturday morning when three groups worked together to provide food for area veterans. 

At the monthly Veterans Making A Difference food pantry, the Rotary Club of Spring Township cooked up hamburgers and hot dogs, and Altrusa International of Reading-Berks made soups and macaroni and cheese for the veterans.

Each veteran received a bag of dry goods, a bag of frozen foods and a bag of bread and deserts, said Liz Graybill, president of Veterans Making A Difference.

The organization has been holding a pantry every month since October 2017, she said.

Since the start of the coronavirus panic, the number of veterans showing up at the food pantry has grown to about 45 to 60 each month. 

“We are getting a lot more veterans,” she said. “We’re veterans. We help veterans. We understand there is a need there especially during the pandemic.” 

The food pantry is held the last Saturday of every month at the Rescue Mission from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.

Korean War veteran Richard Alexander, who served in the Air Force, is proud of his service.

“We all have pride,” Alexander said. “I was never on welfare. I never drew an unemployment check. So, when I come here and they give me some food, I appreciate it.” 

Alexander was waiting in line with his friend and fellow Air Force veteran Ed, who declined to give his last name. 

“It’s important to us,” Ed said. “Especially with this pandemic. We don’t have to go into the grocery store and deal with people. 

“We served our country and the other veterans are serving us and they’re helping us. Veterans, we stick together."

Altrusa International of Reading-Berk was sponsoring an initiative called Save Our Soldiers. 

“It’s very fulfilling,” Becky Babb-Hollen, co-president of Altrusa, said. “All of us were isolated. It felt so good to be back together and helping again.”

Altrusa was helping before COVID-19 hit Berks County, but had to cut back its efforts during the pandemic.

“Before the pandemic we made breakfast and socialized with the veterans,” said Judy Lysczek, co-president of Altrusa. “At least this is something we can do.” 

Marie Smith, president of the Rotary Club, said the organization comes once a month to cook breakfast or make lunch for the veterans. Because of the pandemic, it teamed up with Veterans Making A Difference on Saturday morning to limit exposure.

“We’re just trying to keep them safe, us safe and give them what they need,” Smith said. 

Smith hopes the club can help out every month.

“These people need it,” she said. “They took care of us, defended us so we can be free. The least we can do is serve them some food.” 

Air Force veteran George Ateek and volunteer John Rarick were busy packing bags of non-perishable items to give to veterans.

“We love our veterans,” Rarick said. “They gave so much that all we want to do is give a little something back.”