Salem Elks present $5,500 to the Salem Ministerial Alliance Food Pantry. Left to right: Elks Leon Chapman, Vicky Rose, and Bob Lafenhagen; Phil Martin and Jennifer Simmons of the Salem Ministerial Alliance Food Pantry; and Mike Hooe of the Salem Elks. Photo by Bruce Kropp.
The Salem Elks has given a big boost to the Salem Ministerial Alliance Food Pantry Thursday night.
Elks Trustee Mike Hooe helped with the check presentation.
“Elks National this year offered a different grant, something they’ve never done before, allowing us to combine the Beacon and the Lighthouse Grants and combined it was worth $5,500.”
Hooe says their initial application was for less money, but they were asked to submit for more and received it.
The Director of the Food Pantry Jennifer Simmons and the President of the Salem Ministerial Alliance Phil Martin were on hand to accept the money. He expects the need in the community to grow as some of the federal unemployment and stimulus programs expire.
“The response of the community has been fantastic. People have really stepped up in Salem, understanding a lot of people are hurting. A lot of families are hurting during this time, yet they didn’t lose their spirit of generosity. Because of that response, our food pantry and this check really keep it healthy and the Community Fund with the bell ringing is healthy.”
Martin says the Elks grant will allow the items distributed to the less fortunate to increase.
“We are also pursuing avenues with the Illinois Food Bank to purchase toilet paper, personal items and we can also use this money to do that as well.”
Martin also announced this year’s Salem Ministerial Alliance Community Fund drive topped its $15,000 goal. Bell ringing and business contributions through the end of the year totaled $18,000 with some additional money arriving in January that is not yet part of the total.
Hooe also announced Thursday night money is in place for the Healthy Hearts summer food program for children in the Salem and Iuka area to continue.
“We also received word this week that our impact grant has been renewed and that is what we fund the Hungry Hearts with so we are very pleased to get that news and have the Hungry Hearts program again this summer.”
Hooe says they will receive $5,000 from the National organization for Hungry Hearts.
