Van Wert Elks #1197 Donate to Local Summer Food Program

Van Wert Elks Lodge #1197 recently donated $2,000 to the YWCA of Van Wert County for their Summer Food Program.   This is the 25th year the YWCA has run this important program.   The monies are from a Spotlight Grant the lodge received from the Elks National Foundation.

The Elks National Foundation is a perpetual trust fund established in 1928 by the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.   Contributions to the Foundation are made each year by almost one million Elks and their families and friends from more than 2000 Elks Lodges across the United States, Guam, Puerto Rico and the Philippines. 

This year, due to Covid 19, they are packing and distributing breakfast and lunch meals for the week every Monday.   Every Thursday they are packing and distributing Grab and Go Bags that contain food for the weekends.    This is open to any child under the age of 18 and no registration is required.    This program runs from June 1 thru July 27.

Van Wert Elks Lodge in addition to the donation of monies has members volunteering in the packaging and distribution of the meals.

Van Wert Elks Lodge is happy to be able to assist the YWCA with this important summer program.

Pictured left to right are Betsy Hamman, Summer Food Program Director and Mike Stanley, Lodge Elks National Foundation Chairman.