Florida Elks News

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Written by: Carol Eaton

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On July 16, Delray Beach Elks Lodge #1770 donated its $2,000 Elks National Foundation Spotlight Grant to CROS Ministries (Christians Reaching Out to Society, Inc.) of Delray Beach and Lake Worth, Florida, during one of CROS’s free lunch distributions at the Delray Beach Library. CROS runs eight food pantries in Palm Beach and Martin counties, and their Caring Kitchen program provides meals to anyone in need. During the coronavirus pandemic, CROS has provided meals via drive-thru setups at three locations in Delray Beach. The Elks’ donation will assist with these drive-thru programs. The Delray Beach Police Department (DBPD) takes a highly active role getting to know and help citizens in need and therefore attends the drive-thru events. They partner with CROS when they are helping those who are homeless in Delray Beach. They get to know them better and therefore can better assist them with their needs. Pictured are Jason Lorey, Caring Kitchen assistant program director; Sgt. Rachael VanNess, DBPD; Officer Damien Ferraiolo, DBPD; Carol Eaton, Lodge treasurer; Ruth Mageria, executive director of CROS Ministries; and Ariana Ciancio, service population advocate of DBPD who was handing out donated shorts during the food distribution. Not pictured is Jim Eaton, lodge trustee. Lorey is also pictured with someone picking up a meal at this event.

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Written by: New Port Richey Elks

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On July 10, the New Port Richey Police Department received 25 face shields as well as sandwiches, chips and soda from New Port Richey Elks Lodge #2284. The face shields were supplied from the drug awareness project and the meal items were provided by the Lodge. Barbara Rodgers, Exalted Ruler, and Marilee Mills, chaplain, are pictured with staff members.

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Written by: Diane Hendrick

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On June 25, David Lake, PSP and Roger Spencer, Fort Myers Elks Lodge Exalted Ruler, presented the lodge’s Elks National Foundation Gratitude Grant of $2,000 and 100 face shields to Lee Health Foundation to benefit three Lee Health facilities. Accepting the check and face shields are Ken Shoriak, Chief Operating Officer, and Jason Powella.

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Written by: Miami Elks

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On May 24, a food distribution event was held on the grounds of Miami Elks Lodge #948. Cornerstone Miami Church which rents space from the lodge for Sunday services was the main sponsor of the event. Members of the church as well as seven volunteers from the lodge distributed approximately 300 boxes of food. Miami-Dade Police also provided assistance with traffic flow.

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Written by: Rotonda Elks

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Using its $2,000 Elks National Foundation Gratitude Grant and $1,000 from the lodge charity account, Rotonda Elks Lodge #2710 donated $1,500 each May 9 to two food banks in Englewood, Florida, run by churches – St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church and St. David’s Jubilee Center of St. David’s Episcopal Church. St David’s Food Bank provides food to over 200 families consisting of 400 adults and 180 children per month and continued to distribute food during the pandemic. Families also have access to the clothes closet of gently used clothing for free. When school resumes, the backpack ministry will again provide kid-friendly nutritious food to students attending Englewood elementary schools every two weeks throughout the school year. Pictured at St. David’s Jubilee Center are Roger Redman, Exalted Ruler, and Jeff Smith, Trustee, presenting a check to Ruth Hill (center), administrator of St. David’s Food Bank. The other check was presented to St. Francis in front of Rotonda Lodge.

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Written by: Mary Ellen Fillo

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Two social media-savvy members of Delray Beach Elks Lodge #1770, Iain Paterson and John Brewer, and their socially distanced supper club were featured May 9 on the “Today” show. Reporter Kerry Sanders spotlighted the pop-up dining concept the two launched to boost takeout restaurant business in Delray Beach, Florida, and several surrounding towns during the coronavirus pandemic when restaurants were only serving curbside meals. The restaurants would feature a special menu as part of the promotion and it was advertised on social media to reach more supporters. The club has more than 30 participating restaurants, and according to Sanders, the Facebook group has more than 10,000 members. As it gained more traction, the supper club offered hats and other swag and the proceeds from those sales, over $10,000, were given to Trinity Delray Lutheran Church and School, a nonprofit organization that provides food to those in need. Pictured are Paterson and Brewer in front of Tim Finnegan’s, a participating downtown restaurant in Delray Beach, Florida, in April 2020.

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Written by: Judy Wise

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On April 28, Plant City Elks Lodge #1727 donated $5,679 to the United Food Bank of Plant City. The lodge used $4,000 from the Elks National Foundation Gratitude Grant and the lodge members added $1,679 to the donation. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the schools closed and were unable to calculate the number of unpaid student lunches and even started distributing free lunches in their parking lots. The business closings and layoffs have put a terrible strain on the food banks. The Plant City food bank was already dipping into summer and fall budgets to meet the tremendous demand. The presentation was made with masks on for safety. Pictured are Judy Wise, Chaplain; Mary Heysek, food bank director; Shelly Carroll, Lecturing Knight; and Kenny Goodwien, Exalted Ruler.

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Written by: Bradenton Elks

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On March 31, Bradenton Elks Lodge #1511 donated $2,000 from the Elks National Foundation Gratitude Grant to The Food Bank of Manatee (located in Manatee County) which is run by Meals on Wheels PLUS. Maribeth Phillips, CEO of Meals on Wheels PLUS, accepts the donation from Mike Eymann, PER, Exalted Ruler, as he uses a grabber to abide by social distancing. In the second picture, Phillips is pictured with Cindy Sloan, Director of The Food Bank of Manatee. This food bank happens to be where the Bradenton Lodge program Elks Feeding Empty Little Tummies purchases the majority of its food. The site of the donation presentation is the Bradenton office of Meals on Wheels PLUS.