Sandpoint Elks donate to local organizations helping with food insecurity

By Ben Olson
Reader Staff

Everyone needs a little help from time to time.

The Sandpoint Elks Lodge No. 1376 presented three Bonner County nonprofit organizations with grant dollars on Dec. 4 to help with food insecurity. The Elks presented a $4,000 check to the Bonner Community Food Bank, a $2,000 check to Food For Our Children and a $1,000 check to the Sandpoint Senior Center to help with meals for homebound seniors.

Grant Committee Chair Tim Fitzpatrick, who is also a three-year trustee and past exalted ruler with the Sandpoint Elks, said the first two grants came from the Grand National Lodge and the third came from the Idaho Elk Tracks Grant – all aimed to help with food insecurity.

“We always look to help veterans, children in need, adults in need,” Fitzpatrick said. “Before becoming part of the grant process, I never had anything to do with the food bank. I’ve met so many wonderful people at the food bank and working with Food For Our Children. It’s been a really great experience for me.”

Linda Tatlock, Sandpoint Elks grant writer, past exalted ruler and Idaho State Elks Association secretary, said the Elks focused on food insecurity because it’s a widespread problem.

“Food insecurity is a big problem, not only in Sandpoint, but everywhere,” Tatlock said.

She said it’s an issue that has affected her deeply over the years, thanks to her own experience with needing assistance.

“Forty-five years ago, I found myself to be a single mother of two young children and I had to go to the food bank to feed my young kids,” Tatlock told the Reader. “That has stayed with me forever.”

In addition to donating grant money toward local organizations helping to feed the community, the Elks also provides free Thanksgiving meals at the Elks Lodge the week before Thanksgiving, and also made about 50 home meal deliveries this year.