Elks Pitch In To Help Feed The Children
by Doug La Rocque
Many schools in the area sponsor “backpack” programs, under which students in need are given a backpack of food on Fridays to help provide nourishment for the weekend, when not in school. The Brunswick School District is one of these.
District Superintendent Dr. Angelina Maloney explained that while children are in school, “we can provide two meals a day, breakfast and lunch, but their families are often on their own on the weekends.” This is one way we can help meet the need. Food for the program is purchased from the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York. Money for these purchases comes mostly through donations.
To that end, up stepped the Brunswick Elks Lodge last Thursday, January 7. They have made a $2,000 donation to the “Backpack” program through the National Elks Foundation’s “Gratitude Program.” That is money given to each lodge that meets the minimum donation level, determined by its membership numbers, to be used to help out community based programs. Former Exalted Ruler and State Vice President Dale Loucks indicated they felt the “Backpack” program was one of the best approaches available to put the money to its greatest use.