2023 marks the 30th time the Masons in Holliston will be selling their Hoagie-style sandwiches for the Super Bowl.  For each of the past 10 events, they have beaten their previous record number of sandwiches sold, and hope to continue that trend this year.  As with every other year, the proceeds are shared with the Holliston community by donating to scholarships, or food and clothing for those in need among other causes.  Not only is this particular event the Lodge’s largest single fundraiser of the year, but it’s a social event that many mark on their calendars – a rite of passage of sorts. 

The event began decades ago when one of the members who originated from the Philadelphia area wanted to bring a piece of his hometown to Holliston.  According to the Encyclopedia Britannica, the Hoagie likely originated in the “Philadelphia area where, during World War I, Italian immigrants who worked at the Hog Island shipyard began making Italian meat / cheese sandwiches; they were originally called ‘hoggies’ before the name hoagie took hold.” After a few years, the Lodge’s event was gaining steam, (funding the Town’s DARE police officer) but the time and cost of driving to Pennsylvania to gather supplies caused the Lodge to source the supplies locally so that more donations could be made to charity. 

Since then, thousands (yes, thousands!) of the sandwiches have been made at the Lodge, and with the town closing the DARE program, the Lodge opted to pivot the benefits to other efforts in town.  Currently, the largest beneficiaries are the Holliston Food Pantry Shelf, The Mount Hollis Scholarship Fund, and the Mount Hollis Angel Fund.  The Scholarship fund is an annual donation to a senior at Holliston High School that demonstrates initiative and leadership in the local community.  The Angel Fund partners primarily with the lower grade schools and serves as an anonymous and rapid funding source for children in need, typically for clothing or food support. 

This year, the Lodge is offering three options for the sandwiches to benefit charitable efforts:  Hoagies, Turkey, or Ham and cheese subs.  You may pre-order online at bit.ly/HoagieOrder2023 or leave a message on their “Hoagie Hotline” at 508-474-9444 to ensure that you are able to get these tasty sandwiches on Super Bowl Sunday, February 12, from 11 until 2pm. 

Also, back by popular demand, the Girl Scouts will be selling their addictive cookies as well.  They hope to see you down and say hello and to remind you that not only are these large and tasty sandwiches, but you’re helping others with your purchase.