On Nov. 17, Florida Keys Lodge presented a $2,500 check to Coral Shores High School using funds from the Elks National Foundation Gratitude Grant. The donation is for the student food pantry program. Like other communities throughout the country, this community continues to be affected by the COVID pandemic and other long-term health issues from having the virus. Some parents work two jobs or receive small unemployment benefits, which often do not cover the rising cost of groceries to feed their families. Some businesses have closed and parents lost their jobs and do not qualify for benefits. The donation will allow school project volunteers to purchase nonperishable food items in bulk for their students in need. The pantry is open to all high school students. Students may come by the pantry before morning classes to get protein breakfast bars, fruit cups or juice. Many students also stop in at lunchtime. Teachers are volunteering their time to assist as needed. The main purpose of the student food pantry is directed at students whose families are facing food insecurity. These students sometimes take care of their younger siblings while their parents are working two jobs and face barriers to grocery shopping. This program allows students to take home a backpack with enough food for weekend meals. Kids sign up to receive a backpack through the administration office and pick it up on Friday afternoons. Students return backpacks on Monday and have the option of signing up for the following week. Currently there are more than 25 children signed up to receive these meals. There are several dozen more students who drop in before class or lunchtime. Volunteers also supply students with easy-to-prepare nutritional recipes and words of encouragement in each bag.
Pictured are Brenda Cockrell, PER, lodge grant coordinator, and Laura Lietaert, Coral Shores High School principal.