Florida Elks News Editor:
Rachael King
 
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Florida State Elks Association Inc.
P.O. Box 49
Umatilla, FL 32784-0049
352-669-9443

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       2387 Jean Greco June 9 2021        2387 Walter Little June 9 2021

As of June 30, Cocoa Beach Elks Lodge #2387 has taken 504 homeless veterans shopping for Welcome Home kits valued at $122,000 since the program began in 2016. Twice a month, a group of Elks gather at the Dollar General store at 595 N. Atlantic Ave. in Cocoa Beach. They are each paired with a veteran and shop for $300 worth of items needed to set up their household including paper products, kitchen supplies, personal hygiene items, and bed and bath linens. The store manager has been more than supportive of the efforts and is greatly appreciative. The lodge has partnered with two local veterans organizations — Volunteers of America (VOA) and Support Services for Veterans Families (SSVF). The VOA manages an 80-bed transitional housing facility which prepares veterans to move from homelessness to permanent housing. SSVF is a service of the Veteran's Administration that re-houses homeless veterans and prevents homelessness for those at imminent risk due to a housing crisis. Once the VOA and SSVF interview and screen potential veterans for eligibility, they connect them with the lodge to go shopping for needed items. Pictured June 9 after shopping are lodge members Jean Greco and Walther Little with two veterans.