On Sept. 19, Oakland Park Elks Lodge #2407 used its $2,500 Elks National Foundation Freedom Grant to help local veterans through the Vietnam Veterans of America, an organization that supports veterans with a focus on homelessness. The lodge supported the survival bags project by providing more than 30 bags and supplies. These bags are distributed to male and female veterans who are experiencing homelessness. The bags consisted of a string backpack, two water bottles, a Mylar survival blanket, deodorant, sunscreen, toothpaste, a toothbrush, a mini bar of soap, mini shampoo, mini conditioner, mini body wash, a package of pocket-sized Kleenex, socks, BAND-AIDS, a VA crisis line emergency card, granola bars, trail mix bars, Welch’s Fruit Snacks, and a package of cheddar cheese crackers. A hairbrush and feminine hygiene products were also included for women.