Elks Lodge donates to FR United Methodist Church student meals program

Jim Sheppard, Exalted Ruler of Front Royal Elks Lodge # 2382, delivered a donation of $5,500 to the Front Royal United Methodist Church Backpack Program. They are currently providing weekend meal supplements to 67 children, and the number keeps rising.

Their goal is to provide some form of meals on Saturday and Sunday and any school holiday. Church members and volunteers meet each Thursday to pack the bags, consisting of breakfast, lunch, fruit and snacks. They are then delivered to seven school locations in the community.

With the rising cost of food, this should help support the Backpack Program goal of $38,190 for the 2021-2022 school year. The donated funds were provided by the Elks National Foundation thru their Spotlight and Beacon Grants.

Pictured left to right, Evelyn Ricci (Elk member and Church member), Susan Hrbek, Backpack Rep, Volunteer Thomas Jenkins, E.R. Sheppard & volunteer Susan Jenkins. Not pictured was Jackie North, who provided background information about the program that enabled the Lodge to receive the grants. Courtesy Photo Elks Lodge 2382

(From a release by Elks Lodge 2382)