Elks donate to fill school supply needs

Houlton Elementary School recently received donated school supplies from the Houlton Lodge of Elks. From left are: Elks member and RSU 29 retired educator, past exalted ruler and past Maine Elks Association State President Mike Powers; Elizabeth Grant, past exalted ruler and current exalted ruler of the Houlton Elks Lodge; students Esben Desveaux and Carter Crane; Superintendent Joe Fagnant; and teacher Shelley Brandt. (Courtesy of Elizabeth Grant)

The Houlton Lodge of Elks No. 835 recently donated school supplies to two local schools. 

The group donated more than $4,000 worth of items to Houlton Southside School and Houlton Elementary School. This project was made possible through a $4,000 2024 Beacon Grant from the Elks National Foundation Community Investments Program.

Lodges use the grants in an active project that will meet pressing needs of the community. The Houlton lodge’s back-to-school project aims to support local educators in their efforts with our community students. The club hopes to make the access to classroom supplies a more equitable part of everyone’s school experience. 

“This is the third year coordinating this project and it is a very important project to the Houlton Lodge and for our community,” said Elizabeth Grant, exalted ruler of the Houlton Lodge of Elks. 

Both schools were extremely appreciative, Grant said.

“As a community service organization, the members of the Houlton Lodge would like to be sure that all students in our local elementary schools have access to necessary school supplies,” she said.