Lakewood Ranch-Sarasota Elks Lodge #2855 used their $2,000 Elks National Foundation Gratitude Grant May 19 to support The Food Bank of Manatee in this time of unprecedented demand related to the coronavirus economic situation. These funds would normally be used by the lodge program Elks Feeding Empty Little Tummies (EFELT), but since the program is temporarily suspended because of school closures, the lodge decided to help the food bank. The food bank has stepped in and is helping to feed many of the same children EFELT would normally serve. Maribeth Phillips, Meals on Wheels PLUS of Manatee CEO, received the check on behalf of the Food Bank of Manatee from Clayton Wakefield, lodge member and EFELT east coordinator (Bradenton Lodge services the west side). Pictured at the right is Jerry Ditty, Exalted Ruler.