EFELT (Elks Feeding Empty Little Tummies) is the corroboration between Bradenton and Lakewood Ranch-Sarasota lodges. Their mission is to provide weekend meals during the school year to children who are disadvantaged. Combined, they feed 494 children from 13 schools. Funds from the Elks National Foundation $2,000 Spotlight Grant, $2,500 Gratitude Grant and $4,000 Beacon Grant are used to purchase food and supplies. Each week, volunteers from both lodges buy food, stock two EFELT pantry sites, bag food items and deliver them to the schools for children to take them home. They provide two breakfasts, two lunches and two dinners. Additional money is collected from lodge fundraisers and numerous donors.
Lakewood Ranch-Sarasota Lodge volunteers are pictured Nov. 15 at their storage site in a room donated by the local YMCA.
Bradenton Lodge volunteers are pictured Dec. 6 at their storage site in a room donated by the lodge.