On Oct. 31, Jacksonville Elks Lodge #221donated $2,000 to help students at Alden Road Exception Student Center with their school lunches for the remainder of the school year. ARESC is one of the 37 non-Community Eligibility Provision schools in Duval County that had their school lunch program canceled, and staff members and teachers at the school were paying for the students’ lunches out of their own pockets. Principal Joey Blitch expressed how grateful they all are for the donation. During a visit to ARESC, lodge members participated in the school’s open house, where they had the opportunity to purchase items made by the students.

Pictured are Cynthia Pearson, Duval County Public Schools Board member; Deborah Reedy, PER, Lodge Secretary; Joey Blitch, principal; Pam Haley, member; Donna Blaine, vice principal; and Robin Pipkins, trustee.