For the 2021 holidays, the Fort Pierce Elks Lodge Backpack Program helped 12 public schools and more than 1,200 homeless and in-need students attending the schools in St. Lucie County, Florida. To provide this assistance, they used the Elks National Foundation $3,500 Beacon Grant and the $3,500 state association matching funds along with the $2,000 Elks National Foundation Spotlight Grant and member donations. The backpack program’s team of volunteers worked several months to accomplish this. Donations included new school clothes, underwear, socks, hygiene kits, Christmas gifts, treats, toys, food and snacks. Delivery to the schools was Dec. 7 and teachers will give them to students in need Dec. 16 before they leave for the holiday break. Pictured during the packing at the lodge are Peggy Noel, Elkettes president, and lodge members Jean Citto; Dick Smith; Gail Van Horn; Bob Citto; Scott Borrow; Tricia Swayngim, Exalted Ruler; Ann Smith; Lenny Smallacombe, backpack program chair; and Barb Smallacombe, PDD.