Elks give grant money to feed local hungry

4 years ago

PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — The Presque Isle Elks Lodge 1954 recently presented the proceeds of a special grant to Catholic Charities to help replenish food supplies for those in need.

Alan Harding, Presque Isle Elks grants coordinator and past exalted ruler, and Patricia Lovely, leading knight, on June 24 visited Dixie Shaw, director of Catholic Charities Hunger Relief Services, to present a check for $2,000, representing the full proceeds of a recent Elks National Foundation Spotlight Grant.

Harding said the Spotlight Grants are intended to “focus a spotlight” or call special attention to a current, particularly urgent need in the communities served by Elks lodges. 

The food insecurity brought on by the current COVID-19 pandemic is a need in the area that has been greatly increased, as evidenced by the almost bare food pantry shelves, Harding said.  

The Elks National Foundation reported on its website that $3.7 million had been released in $2,000 Spotlight Grants, the purpose of which was to “shine the light on COVID-19 relief.”