Here you will find information that pertains to our Lodge standings in the programs sponsored by the Elks National Foundation.

Salem Elks Welcome Home Project
Elks National Foundation Class of 2020 Impact Grant Project

As you all know, our lodge was awarded a $10,000 Impact Grant from the Elks National Foundation to support the veterans transitioning from homelessness to stable housing. The first quarter of this project which ended March 31 was a bit rough since just as we got the project off the ground we got hit with the COVID-19 Pandemic. Since then we have worked with our community partner agency, Easterseals Oregon, to figure out how to continue our project and serve these veterans in need in our community. We have taken steps to limit the time spent shopping for items, transitioned to using on-line purchasing, and following social distancing protocols when delivery items to our partners. AS a result, in April our lodge was able to deliver 12 welcome home kits with needed housewares for veterans families that had recently been housed. Each kit included dishes, glassware, pots and pans, kitchen utensils, a coffee maker, silverware, a trash can, and bath towels and washcloths. Unfortunately due to purchasing restrictions we where not able to include cleaning supplies or paper goods as we have in the past.

It is important, that even though our social club may be closed due to this pandemic, we are still doing the charitable works to which our order is dedicated and using those resources available to us to continue to serve those in need. One way that we are able to continue serving our community is through making sure that our dues are paid and maintain our membership even in these uncertain times. For more information on our charitable projects reach out to any officer or email volunteer@salemelks.org.

Hoop Shoot

Veterans Services

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ELKS NATIONAL FOUNDATION is vital for our communities.

Elks National Foundation update:

Last year we applied for $10,000 in Elks National Foundation Community Investment Grants and of that we received $8,000. This year there are some changes to the grants including making the Freedom Grant first come first to get as well as another year of the Anniversary Grant. Another change is that the Gratitude Grant will now be based on meeting the prior years per-capita. This is going to allow us to apply and likely receive all 5 Community Investment Grants totaling $10,000 for us to use in the community. And for the first time in a while our lodge is going to apply for an additional $10,000 Impact grant. This would bring our grant total for the year to $20,000 if all grants are approved. The proposed projects for the grants are as follows:

Beacon $2000—Oregon School for the Deaf Holiday Project Promise $2500—National Guard and Veterans Family Holiday Project Gratitude $2000—Salem Elks Backpacks Project
Anniversary $1500—DARE Program
Freedom $2000—Entertainment events at Lebanon Veterans Home Impact $10,000—Salem Keizer Education School Garden Project

To help on any of these projects or others see Blake Whitson or a lodge officer!