Elks Lodge Gave Donations to Organizations in Laramie

The local Elks lodge in Laramie, No. 582, made $1,000 donations to both the Laramie Soup Kitchen and Interfaith-Good Samaritan. The donations were to assist these organizations during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ted Cramer, Executive Director of the Laramie Soup Kitchen, said, “during the pandemic, we have seen a decrease in food donations and without volunteers, we have had to increase the use of paid staff. This donation will assist us in our provision of hot meals and staples to anyone who is hungry.”

Mike Vercauteren, Executive Director of Interfaith-Good Samaritan said, “this donation is immeasurable. We don’t know what this pandemic means in the coming months for the people we help...This donation is greatly appreciated and will go a long way in our efforts.”

The local Elks Lodge was able to make this donation through a grant from the Elks National Foundation - Community Investments Program - Gratitude Grant. This years’ Gratitude Grant was adapted in response to COVID-19 encouraging lodges to apply for donations to food pantries and other organizations in the community that are better equipped to directly serve the populations in need as we work our way through this pandemic.