Amid a regional shortage, Dr. Mayank Amin ordered 20 more tons after neighbors cleared five tons using an honor system to support So Much to Give Inclusive Cafe
In five hours, five tons of rock salt was scooped, bagged, shoveled, and otherwise depleted by local residents in need of the commodity from the pile provided for free Friday afternoon by Skippack Pharmacy and Dr. Mayank Amin.
"I just ordered 20 more tons. Can't let the people down," Amin, aka Dr. Mak, told PerkValleyNow Saturday morning.
Amin said anyone still in need of rock salt can visit the pharmacy parking lot after 11 a.m. Saturday, with the rule that anyone can stop by any time, day or night, and bring their own bucket or bag, and take what they need on an honor system basis.
"I had our Covid volunteers call all the different stores in the area to see who has rock salt in stock, and when they told me it was out everywhere, that, and the fact my son wants to see a dump truck in front of the pharmacy, I pulled the trigger," Amin said.
Amin's grassroots solution for his neighbors is rooted in trust, generosity and community spirit. Neighbors are encouraged to donate, with a suggested range of 50 cents to $1 per (estimated) pound taken, and can be made in-store by cash or credit or online.
All proceeds will be donated to So Much to Give Inclusive Cafe, a nonprofit café that supports employment opportunities for people with disabilities. Amin said he did not want to make one dollar off the effort.
As of Saturday morning, $9,273 was raised toward the $10,000 goal by 167 donors. Top individual donations include two $500 donations, a $325 donation and numerous $250 donations toward the cause.
“We are not doing this to make a profit,” the pharmacy said in announcing the effort Friday. “When a crisis hits, we stand up for our community.”
The salt was transported from Delaware thanks to RVG Trucking, owned by Skippack Pharmacy team member Jacquelyn Goings and her husband, Roy, who donated their time and equipment to make the delivery possible.
How it works
The initiative comes as several local governments, including Collegeville Borough, have announced limited salt supplies and adjusted snow-treatment plans.
While public works crews focus on priority roads, Skippack Pharmacy’s effort offers residents a rare and timely safety net for sidewalks, driveways and steps.
Donations can be made online at: https://www.gofundme.com/f/supportforsuperheroes
