PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — Since May of this year, the Presque Isle Elks, Lodge #1954, has worked with Catholic Charities of Maine in order to address the growing food insecurity in this area resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.
First, utilizing funds received through grants from the Elks National Foundation, the Presque Isle Elks have made substantial donations to Catholic Charities in order to restock shelves in area food pantries.
Beginning on June 4 the Presque Isle Elks have provided the manpower to distribute food boxes in Presque Isle. To date, the Elks have donated over 300 man hours over the course of six separate events. At these events, the Elks transferred nearly 10,000 food boxes, having a total value of nearly $400,000, into the motor vehicles of grateful recipients, who never left their vehicles.
On Sept. 10 the Presque Isle Elks distributed two trailer loads of food boxes, a total of 2,640 boxes, including both the previously provided Pineland Foods box, as well as a Native Maine food box, containing fresh fruits and vegetables.
On Saturday, Sept. 26 Presque Isle, Lodge #1954, will partner with Northern Lanes in Presque Isle to provide a free breakfast with free hot lunch to every young person between the ages of 6 and 16, who participates in the Presque Isle Elks Junior Bowling League.
Breakfast will consist of cereal and milk, juice, and a fruit cup. Lunch will be a cheeseburger, hot dog or other hot sandwich, chips, vegetable slices and juice or milk.
Young people or their parents or guardians can sign up for the junior bowling league during regular business hours for Northern Lanes by calling 207-764-1532.
Commenting upon this new program for the Presque Isle Elks, Exalted Ruler Reuben Caron said, “The Presque Isle Elks are committed to maintaining their status as an active public service organization despite the obstacles created by the current pandemic. While the Elks are unable to hold our usual, widely-attended, community functions, we will continue to explore ways in which we can serve the interests of young people, veterans and economically distressed families in this community, while following the Governor’s Executive Orders and CDC guidelines.”
