Noblesville Elks Lodge 576 recently awarded a $2,500 grant to FeedingTeam.org.
Martin Weiss, incoming Lodge 576 Exalted Ruler, said, “We are proud to partner with the Feeding Team; they exemplify the values of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. Together we make a positive difference in the lives of our Hamilton County neighbors.”
Feeding Team Co-Founder Lisa Hall said, “Support from local organizations like the Elks is critical to our ability to provide thousands of meals each month to local neighbors. We are so grateful for their partnership and investment of volunteer hours. This grant will be used to get food that will be distributed in local pantries.”
With over 27,000 food challenged neighbors in Hamilton County, FeedingTeam.org is a registered 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization that provides outdoor 24/7-365 no-questions-asked free food pantries throughout the county. Feeding Team provides thousands of non-perishable meals through 48 pantries in service. The pantries exist to meet the food insecurity needs of gap families – neighbors who may not qualify for public assistance and could use a few meals before payday.
About the Elks
The Elks Fraternal Order was founded “to promote and practice the four cardinal virtues of Charity, Justice, Brotherly Love and Fidelity; to promote the welfare and enhance the happiness of its members; to quicken the spirit of American Patriotism and cultivate good fellowship.”
The Order spends more than $80 million every year for benevolent, educational, and patriotic community-minded programs in such fields as benefitting special needs children, sponsoring Elks National Foundation scholarships, scouting, athletic teams, veterans’ works, a national “Hoop Shoot” free-throw contest involving more than three million children, physical and occupational therapy programs, and patriotic programs.
Additionally, every lodge observes June 14 as Flag Day, a tradition which the Elks began in 1907 and was later adopted by the Congress as an official observance.