Elks National Foundation Blog

S a ugu s -Ever ett, Mass., Lodge No. 642 Fire up the grill—it’s time for a barbeque! Elks from Saugus-Everett, Mass., Lodge No. 642 know that some community members need help feeding their families. Using an Elks National Foundation Gratitude Grant , the Elks held a barbeque for families living in a local shelter, providing them with food and fellowship. After a dinner on the grill, the Elks played hula hoop, limbo and musical chairs with their guests, and put their best foot forward on the dance floor during the “Cha-Cha Slide.” To ensure that guests had enough to eat for the next week, each child left with a backpack filled with food and other treats. “We are so thankful for the beautiful barbeque you threw for us,” expresses a shelter resident. “You make life easier for those in need.” The Elks National Foundation helps Lodges serve their communities by offering $2,000 Gratitude Grants. Lodges are eligible to apply for Gratitude Grants aft...

By Programs Relationship Associate Anne Shields This past week, I had the opportunity to visit a 2011 ENF Cornerstone Grant project in Milwaukee, Wis. Elks scholar alum Karlye Rodriguez-Wisdom received a $500 ENF Cornerstone Grant to create an urban garden, called the Cream City Gardens, at the Guest House Homeless Shelter. Now, a few months later, the garden is providing healthy, nutritious food to the residents of the shelter and Karlye is teaching them how to care for the plants. Ever since Karlye received the Cornerstone Grant this spring, I have been eager to see the project come to life. So I was thrilled when Karlye invited the ENF and the Milwaukee Elks to a Harvest Party to celebrate a successful season of gardening. Steve Vitale, a member of the Milwaukee, Wis., Lodge No. 46, joined me at the event where we got to see the Cream City Gardens in action. When I first laid eyes on 30 garden beds, it was clear how much hard work went into transforming a vacant lot in downtow...