Funds for this donation were acquired through the Elks National Foundation's Community Investments Program (C.I.P.) in the form of a gratitude grant.
The gratitude grant is one of six possible grants that the Frackville Elks Lodge is eligible to apply for every year, through the Elks National Foundation. As part of the C.I.P. guidelines, the gratitude grant must be used to support local, charitable activities such as hosting a community clean-up day, purchasing supplies for a homeless shelter, or organizing a school literacy fair.
Due to the COVID-19 crisis, Elks members decided that donating to a local food pantry, that is better equipped to directly serve the populations affected by the pandemic, was the best way to quickly utilize funds for those in need.
Pictured from left to right are Marianne Yanchulis, lodge chaplain; Diane Sturm food bank register; Donald Dudash, lodge grants coordinator; Carol Nicholas, food bank coordinator; Lance Nelson, lodge trustee and Elks National Foundation Gold Level Donor.
Photo and Information Submitted by Bill Mack / Frackville Elks Lodge