As traditions go, no one is quite sure when the Iola Elks first started giving away food baskets at Christmastime.
Its been at least 50 years, members said. Perhaps the tradition goes as far back as when the club was formed about 100 years ago.
Whenever it started, its a tradition that has evolved over time while maintaining its core belief: People helping people in Allen County.
On Thursday, Elks volunteers gathered at Iolas G&W Foods to pick up two truckloads worth of food. Later that evening, they distributed baskets full of the assembled food to 35 families.
The community does so much for the Elks. This is a way to give back, said Terry Taylor, Elks Club secretary.
MONEY FOR the food baskets comes, perhaps appropriately, from food-related fundraisers, which by now are so well known that a pie can auction for $100, not necessarily because its that tasty, but because donors know the bigger purpose of the fundraising efforts.
A pie auction at McKinley Elementary School raised more than $1,000, Taylor said.
The Elks organize several dinners and at least two pie auctions each year.
THOSE ON the receiving end of the food baskets arent necessarily low-income but are typically down on their luck.
Examples include families who have lost their homes to fires, families who have lost their breadwinners, or those whose loved ones are sick or in the hospital.
Families with such struggles may not have the time or resources to properly prepare for Christmas dinner. They also may be less likely to ask for help. The food baskets, especially when children are involved, help keep traditions alive and make the holidays feel as normal as possible, Taylor said.
Names are submitted throughout the year and when Christmas rolls around volunteers call to see if they would like to receive a basket. Only a few have ever turned them down. Most are grateful to know others are thinking about them, Taylor said.
The Elks now work hand-in-hand with G&W Foods to purchase food for the baskets.
We couldnt do this without their help, Taylor said.
Each year, theyve been able to add a few more baskets to the list. Theyre now up to 35.
