Between March 11 and April 1, South Miami/Coral Gables Elks Lodge #1676 used its Elks National Foundation Beacon and Spotlight grants. Members Rick Del Vecchio and Fred Jaca, PDD met with VA personnel to determine what was needed to help veterans experiencing homelessness. The lodge then spent $5,874.48 on backpacks and members filled them with socks, toiletries, mosquito repellant, flip-flops, rain ponchos, dried fruit packs, tuna and chicken packets, protein bars, and food gift cards for 120 veterans.
Pictured delivering the backpacks to VA staff members Britney Brice, Denise Ramirez and Tatyana Anglade are Fred Jaca, PDD, Exalted Ruler; and Rick Del Vecchio, Lodge Grants Coordinator.