Richard A. Zuber Realty launches seventh annual food drive for Berks

Richard A. Zuber Realty is kicking off its seventh consecutive month‑long food drive on June 1, 2026, to collect non‑perishable food and toiletry items for veterans in Berks County [1]. The campaign partners with the nonprofit Veterans Making a Difference and features multiple drop‑off events, including a street‑fair collection and a “Stuff the Bus” drive at Redner’s Market.

Key takeaways

• The drive runs all of June, with donations accepted at the corporate office at 201 E Philadelphia Ave., Boyertown [2].
• Special collection days are scheduled for June 6 during the BMBA Philadelphia Avenue Street Fair and June 20 at Redner’s Market [1].
• Real estate advisor Vanessa Deskie coordinates the effort, citing her family’s multigenerational military service as motivation [4].
• The 2025 “Stuff the Bus” event was described as the most successful to date, with cash, checks, and gift‑card contributions alongside food donations [2].
• After June, the collected items will be delivered to Veterans Making a Difference’s headquarters at the Veteran Social Center in Reading [1].

Community‑wide collection events

The primary drop‑off location is Zuber Realty’s Boyertown office, where residents can leave donations throughout June [2]. On June 6, the agency will host a booth at the Berks‑Mont Business Association’s annual Philadelphia Avenue Street Fair, inviting the public to contribute between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. [1]. A second high‑visibility event occurs on June 20 at Boyertown’s Redner’s Market, where agents encourage shoppers to “Stuff the Bus” with non‑perishable foods, toiletries, and monetary gifts [1].

These events build on a pattern established in previous years. In 2025, agent Betsy Bellantoni reported a surge of donors arriving with boxes of food and cash as soon as the bus arrived at 11 a.m., and contributions continued until 2 p.m., making that year’s drive the most successful to date [2]. The Zuber team also distributes promotional T‑shirts at the street fair, reinforcing the agency’s “We Work for YOU!” motto [1].

Coordination and delivery

Vanessa Deskie, a real‑estate advisor with Zuber Realty, oversees the annual drive, honoring her family’s service that stretches back to the Civil War [4]. After the collection period ends, the agency will transport the donations to Veterans Making a Difference’s headquarters at the Veteran Social Center in Reading, where the nonprofit distributes the supplies to veterans facing food insecurity [1].

Why it matters

Food insecurity among veterans remains a persistent challenge in Berks County, and community‑driven initiatives like Zuber Realty’s drive provide critical supplemental support. By mobilizing local businesses, shoppers, and volunteers, the campaign not only gathers essential supplies but also raises awareness of veterans’ needs. The continuation of the drive into its seventh year suggests sustained community engagement, and the partnership with Veterans Making a Difference ensures that collected items reach those most in need. Future updates will likely detail the volume of donations delivered and any additional outreach activities planned by Zuber Realty.