South Southwest District

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Written by Rotonda Elks

Using a $2,000 Elks National Foundation Gratitude Grant, Rotonda Elks Lodge #2710 is purchasing $500 worth of food a month in July, August, September and October for the food bank of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church’s Outreach Program in Grove City, Florida. Matt Egan, director of the St. Francis Outreach Program, gives them a list of needed foods. July shoppers were Cheryl Culpan, Jeanne Karellas and Debbie Sommers, Lodge Secretary. August shoppers included Vickie Annabelle-Nine, assistant secretary; Francie Brown and her sister, Betty; and Debbie Sommers. Pictured are September shoppers, Debbie Sommers and Vickie Annabelle-Nine.

Rotonda Lodge will use $2,000 from its Elks National Foundation Beacon Grant ($1,000 from Elks National Foundation and $1,000 from a matching grant from the Florida State Elks Association) to buy $500 worth of food and personal hygiene items a month for September, October, November and December for the Englewood Helping Hand food pantry in Englewood, Florida. Volunteers in September were Jean Humphreys, PER; Vickie Annabelle-Nine and Debbie Sommers.

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Written by Punta Gorda Elks

Using $1,305.31 of its $2,000 Gratitude Grant, Punta Gorda Elks Lodge #2606 donated food to the St. Vincent de Paul Food Bank in Punta Gorda, Florida, and the Jesus Loves You Ministry in Port Charlotte, Florida, a mobile outreach program for those experiencing homelessness. A large microwave was also delivered to the Jesus Loves You Ministry using $230 from the Gratitude Grant. In addition, the lodge donated $1,500 from its $3,500 Elks National Foundation Beacon Grant to St. Vincent de Paul for a new freezer. Food deliveries were made Aug. 31 and the microwave was delivered Sept. 3.

Pictured delivering food to the St. Vincent de Paul Food Bank are Judy Nuetzel, South Southwest District Vice President, and Fred Nuetzel, Exalted Ruler. Also pictured are two food bank volunteers whose names were unavailable. Fred Nuetzel is also pictured delivering food with a volunteer from Jesus Loves You Ministry and presenting a check for the freezer to a volunteer from St. Vincent de Paul Food Bank. Ambrose Yelovich, PER pictured with volunteer James Hicks delivers a large microwave to the Jesus Loves You Ministry.

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Written by Carolyn Sutherland

On Sept. 15, Sean Kirsten of High Heat Travel Baseball was presented a $1,000 check from Englewood Lodge to sponsor a traveling Florida High Heat Baseball team. Florida High Heat Baseball is a travel baseball organization based in Englewood, Florida, for boys ages 16 and under. The league’s goal is to be the most affordable travel baseball in southwest Florida. Pictured are Carolyn Sutherland, Exalted Ruler, and Kirsten.

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Written by Carolyn Sutherland

Englewood Elks Lodge #2378 donated its $2,000 Elks National Foundation Spotlight Grant to Englewood Helping Hand (EHH). This donation is to help EHH cover some of the food costs related to the increased volume of food-insecure residents of Charlotte and Sarasota counties in Florida due to the pandemic. Comprehensive data shows that at least 70,700 people in these counties are food-insecure. EHH also provides utility assistance to residences of the Englewood, Florida, community. Pictured at the check presentation are Mark Rennie, board president; Carolyn Sutherland, Exalted Ruler; and Judy Abbott, Secretary and Elks National Foundation Fundraising Lodge Chair. 

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Written by Dr. Judith MacGregor

Getting off to a quick start in the new lodge year, Bonita Springs-Estero Lodge applied for an Elks National Foundation (ENF) Gratitude Grant April 1, the day the ENF opened applications. The Harry Chapin Food Bank of Southwest Florida received the donation of $2,000 that was approved within hours of the grant application. This was a new offering by the ENF to respond to the coronavirus pandemic. The highly successful food bank was able to provide $8 of food for every $1 donated by partnering with local food stores for surpluses.