Food AssistanceHancock Lodge No. 311 Donates $1,000 to the Lion’s Pantry at Lansing Middle School

Leavenworth, Kansas (December 7, 2021)—The Kansas Masonic Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to benefiting Kansas communities, has partnered with Hancock Lodge No. 311 to donate $1,000 to the Lion’s Pantry at Lansing Middle School, an organization providing food for local community members in need.

Founded in 1889, Hancock Lodge No. 311 is a Kansas Masonic lodge dedicated to Freemasonry, the oldest surviving fraternal organization in the world. The lodge has nearly 250 members dedicated to serving the local community and supports numerous charities, including the Alliance Against Family Violence, the Eastern Kansas VA Domicile, the Leavenworth Community Shelter, and the Leavenworth Mission Community Store and Food Pantry. The Brothers at Hancock Lodge No. 311 have also provided scholarships to local students and assisted Brethren in times of need. 

Since 2009, the Lion’s Pantry has been aiding students and families in the local school district by providing food for those in need. The initial idea for the food pantry originated from former Principal Kerry Brungardt, who had witnessed an increase in the number of families struggling financially due to the recession. Quickly, the site council began collecting non-perishable food items to form a food pantry to help benefit local families. After garnering the attention of Darcie Schuler and Jean Gaslin at the Crossroads United Methodist Church in Lansing, the food pantry evolved into a larger organization, with an increasing number of donations and volunteers to help organize and deliver food. Eventually, the pantry relocated to a small office in the old middle school for better accommodations.

To further their mission of supporting those in need in the local community, the Brothers at Hancock Lodge No. 311 have teamed up with the Kansas Masonic Foundation to donate $1,000 to the Lion’s Pantry, a contribution they hope to make annually moving forward. The funds donated will help provide community meals during the holiday season and provide Christmas gifts for less fortunate children. An official donation announcement will occur on or around December 14, 2021.

About the Kansas Masonic Foundation:
As the philanthropic arm of Kansas Masons, the Kansas Masonic Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to benefiting Kansas communities and supporting fellow Masons and their families. Since its inception, the foundation has invested more than $50 million in Kansas communities and individuals through funding academic, scientific, and charitable endeavors. For additional information about the Kansas Masonic Foundation and to get involved, click here.