990 Waldo Gainesville Elks Lodge #990 helped with the transport of food from the Bread of the Mighty Food Bank to the City of Waldo. The initial goal was to be able to offer enough food to feed over 50 families. The lodge helped every Wednesday for four weeks, and now it has changed to once a month. Pictured April 22 are Breed Jumpp, president of the Gainesville Elks Riders 990; Linda Califf, Lodge Secretary; and Gary Parker, lodge member and Parker Pest Control. Additional members not pictured are Saudia Bradley and Rita Puentez, coordinator of this event. The following is a thank-you letter received by the lodge from the mayor of Waldo dated April 28.
As the Mayor of Waldo, I would really like to thank you and your lodge members for your help with feeding Waldo. As you may or may not know Waldo does not have a food bank, so our residents must go to Gainesville or Starke to get food. Many residents do not have the ability to do that. This has been a huge blessing for the City of Waldo, and we are grateful for your role in that giveaway.
You all have made a difference in Waldo and for that we thank you!
Sincerely,
Louie Davis, Mayor
Because there was a surplus after the lodge delivered the food from the Bread of the Mighty to the City of Waldo, they donated the extra food to the St. Francis House, a homeless shelter in Gainesville. Pictured April 22 at the lodge is member Saudia Bradley loading food to deliver to the St. Francis House in Gainesville. The lodge members have been anxious to reach out and help their community in these times of need.