The Kewanee Elks Lodge #724 supports the local high school food pantry with a delivery of food and hygiene supplies each year right after Christmas. With a little help, Amy Jackson goes shopping the day after Christmas to take advantage of the deals and maximize the number of hygiene items they can get for the school’s food pantry. The Elks, utilizing ENF Grants, delivered essential food and hygiene supplies to Kewanee High School, where the pantry is crucial for many students and their families. Marianne from the Henry County Youth Services Bureau, who oversees the pantry, highlighted the critical need for donations as shelves were worryingly empty. This initiative is a testament to the Elks’ commitment to the community, embodying their motto “Elks Care, Elks Share.” Thanks to this support, the pantry continues to make a significant difference in students’ lives.
Kewanee Elks Lodge #724 receives grant money around the same time each year. They donate once or twice a year to the Kewanee Food Pantry, yearly to the Kewanee Schools Food Pantry, and the Honor Flight. They added a donation to the Good Fellows Christmas this year. Their grants are mainly for community service. They were able to purchase winter gear, such as coats, hats, and gloves, for students in Kewanee, Wethersfield, Galva, and Foster Hope in Atkinson. They also gave to Excel in Atkinson to stock its hygiene closet and donated $2,000 to the Kewane Area United Way Shoe Drive to provide a new pair of shoes to a student in Kewanee schools. The Kewanee Elks are looking forward to helping area organizations in 2025.
