Though Christmas has passed, the Elks’ spirit of charity is not seasonal. With four different Community Investments Program grants available to Lodges, your Lodge has an opportunity to serve all year round.

Many Lodges reach out to youth in need at Christmas to provide gifts, warm clothes and holiday celebrations. Keep these children in need in mind as they prepare for school. A back-to-school bash in August with backpacks of supplies, or reading party with free books and fun games in the spring could help your Lodge keep in touch with local youth in need all year.

Many Lodges partner with food pantries, social service programs, churches and shelters to provide Thanksgiving and Christmas baskets of food to families in need. For many, hunger is year-round. Consider using a Gratitude or Beacon Grant to partner with a food pantry during the summer or fall. The Lodge could buy supplies for and help teach a budget-friendly cooking class for families.

Children with disabilities have unique challenges, and one of those is a lack of opportunities to socialize with their peers. It can be difficult to sustain friendships over the summer when children are out of school. Consider holding a sports day or other outing for youth with disabilities in your community this summer.

Many Lodges make a special effort to reach out to VA homes, nursing homes and shelter residents in December. Consider contacting these groups about an event another time of year like the spring, when they’re less likely to receive outside support from other community groups. Many people think of charity at Christmas, but organizations often lack support other times of year.

Many Lodges have strong partnerships formed from years of Christmas charity. Turn those partnerships into year-round friendships by expanding your charitable works to all seasons!

The Elks National Foundation allocated $8.68 million this year to fund the Community Investments Program. Lodges meet local needs in Elks communities through Beacon, Gratitude, Promise and Impact Grants. These grants offer Lodges opportunities to serve the community in ways that will raise the Lodge’s profile, energize the membership, encourage former members to return to the fold, and gain the notice of people who want to be part of an organization that’s doing great things. To learn more about the Community Investments Program, please visit www.elks.org/enf/community.