Superman Strikes Again: Skippack Pharmacy Gives Away Free Salt Before Winter Storm

As winter storm Fern barreled toward the region and shelves at local hardware stores started looking a little bare, one Pennsylvania business decided to step up in a big way and remind everyone what community really looks like.

Ahead of the storm, Skippack Pharmacy turned its parking lot into an impromptu neighborhood lifeline, giving away free road salt to anyone who needed it. No purchase required. No questions asked. Just neighbors helping neighbors.

The effort was organized by pharmacy owner Dr. Mayank Amin - better known around town as “Dr. Mak” - who realized supplies were running low and dangerous conditions were on the way. Instead of shrugging it off, he got to work. With help from RVG Trucking, Dr. Mak secured a full dump truck of salt, hauled all the way from Delaware. By the time word got out, residents began arriving with shovels, buckets, and whatever containers they could find, ready to take just what they needed to stay safe.

The salt was distributed completely free of charge in the pharmacy’s parking lot. The only ask? If people felt inclined, they were encouraged to donate to So Much To Give Inclusive Café, a local nonprofit dedicated to creating employment opportunities for people of all abilities. It was a simple but powerful way to turn a winter storm into an opportunity to support a cause that reflects the same spirit of inclusion and generosity.

For those familiar with Skippack Pharmacy, this act of kindness came as no surprise.

During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Mak gained national attention for his commitment to public health and accessibility. At a time when vaccines were hard to come by and appointments were nearly impossible to secure, he promised to vaccinate anyone who showed up to one of his Mass Vax events. And he meant it. Dressed as Superman - cape and all - Dr. Mak vaccinated more than 100,000 people by the end of 2021, turning what could have been a stressful experience into something hopeful, even joyful.

Born and raised in nearby Lansdale, Dr. Mak is described as "a serial entrepreneur with a deep-rooted passion for serving society and helping those in need." Whether it’s lifesaving vaccines during a global pandemic or road salt ahead of a winter storm, his approach is the same: see a problem, take action, and bring the community along for the ride.

In a world that can often feel divided and disconnected, moments like these stand out. A parking lot full of buckets. A dump truck full of salt. A reminder that sometimes the best medicine isn’t found behind the counter, it’s found in showing up for one another when it matters most.