Tampa Elks Lodge #708 voted to give its $2,000 Elks National Foundation Gratitude Grant to Hope on the Horizon, a charity based in Tampa, Florida. The President, Lisa Chesser, says they deliver groceries to 28 families every week and make sure those who are homeless and living in the camps in the woods eat every day. She can and does accept, store and transport furniture for those who are transitioning from homelessness. Hope on the Horizon also provides clothing, showers and laundry bimonthly for those who are homeless who attend the free dinner at the Gandy Civic Center each Thursday. They also provide school uniforms and school supplies to families who need them. They even donated a refrigerator and stove to a family without them. If there is a desperate need in south Tampa, they find a way to fill that need. Regarding the grant, Chesser commented, “We get a few cash donations here and there, but I’m used to having to pay for most things out of my paycheck! To me, it’s like hitting the lottery.” In addition to the grant, the lodge donated 40 Blessing Bags from Christina Sanchez’s project to be distributed to those assisted by Hope on the Horizon. Chesser, middle, receives the donation April 30 at the Gandy Civic Center presented by Paul Deland, Loyal Knight, and Shelagh Gombarcik, PER, trustee and Public Relations Chair.
