Iola’s Elks Lodge was a beehive of activity Wednesday afternoon. Over 15 members gathered to assemble bags stuffed with food and personal items. The bags will be distributed to area students over the next several days, a timely gift as spring break nears and kids go without school meals.
In total, 250 bags will be given to schools in Iola, Humboldt, Moran, Colony, Yates Center, and Le Roy. Schools will then distribute the bags to students at their discretion, free of charge.
Each bag included oatmeal, granola bars, macaroni and cheese, applesauce, shampoo, soap, toothpaste, crackers, Ramen soup, and trail mix.
Funds for purchasing the items came from a $6,000 community service grant from the national Elks organization. Elks member Becky Anderson, who wrote the grant, noted the Iola lodge spent that money “and then some” thanks to contributions from area members.
Anderson wears quite a few hats for Elks, serving as the chaplain, hoop shoot coordinator, and Veterans chair, all in addition to tending the Lodge’s bar. “I’ve just fallen in love with Elks over the years,” she said. “Once I realized all they do for the community, I’ve gotten more and more involved.”
Iola’s Lodge No. 569 will celebrate its 125th anniversary later this July. The full slate of activities is still being planned, but a highlight will be opening a time capsule from 2000. The lodge plans to bury its own time capsule, with instructions for it to be opened in 2050.
