When the Sweet Home Elks Lodge holds its prospective member night on Feb. 27, proceeds from the dinner will be given to the Kids Food Pack programs at Hawthorne and Foster elementary schools.
“A Night to Remember” will be held on Feb. 27 at the Elks Lodge. A no-host cocktail hour begins at 5:30 p.m. The program and dinner begin at 6:30 p.m.
Members and guests are welcome to attend, said Elks member Darold Bolin, program chairman. As a potential member night, guests must be signed in by members and will receive applications to join the Elks.
“Get your Elks friends and come up,” Bolin said.
The Kids Pack program provides simple food, such as ramen noodles and peanut butter, to children each weekend, Bolin said.
Many students have nothing to eat when they go home for the weekend and come back to school hungry on Mondays, according to program organizers. They eat breakfast and lunch at school during the week.
The program fills backpacks with food for the children, Bolin said. The only requirement is that the children return the backpack to school on Monday.
The program started last school year at Hawthorne and has expanded inside the district.
This is just one charitable program funded by the Elks Lodge.
“The basic reason for the Elks Lodge is for the charities they sponsor,” said Independence member Edie Fields.
The Elks provide funding to a variety of programs, including veterans causes, eye clinics, the Meadowood Springs Speech Camp, scholarships and much more.
“I just enjoy being able to help people and work with people,” Bolin said, whether he is helping with the all-you-can-eat breakfasts or the crab feed last weekend.
“It’s our time to give back to the community,” Fields said.
Anyone interested in joining the Elks or attending the prospective member night should call the lodge at 367-3559 or 367-7806. People should RSVP by Feb. 25.
The Swiss steak dinner with mashed potatoes, vegetables and dessert costs $8 for one or $15 for a couple.
Mona Waibel will give a presentation about the early history of Sweet Home and its logging.