Veterans News

Welcome Home Kits: It Only Takes a Little to get Started

The Welcome Home Kit program continues to expand, and more and more Lodges are joining. We took the time to speak to Linda Califf of Gainesville, Fla, Lodge No. 990 about her experience from start to finish working with the program.

We love to learn about how Lodges first heard about the program and how their initial experience was. This helps us to make the process as simple and fluid as possible for our volunteers.

As Lodge Secretary, Califf is constantly reviewing elks.org for new programs, which is how she came across several articles about other lodges using the Welcome Home Kit program.

“I was so excited to find this and couldn’t wait to get it started!” She explained the need for funds to the grant committee and they were on board. “I was authorized to use $1,400 from the state matching funds to get the Welcome Home Kit Program up and running,” Califf continues. With those funds and the help of enthusiastic members who were ready to donate items, including a member who works in a furniture store, the Lodge had more than enough to get their first kit out.

Since that first kit, Gainesville Lodge has delivered kits to 33 veterans!

“Our community has a very large population of homeless individuals, a lot of whom are veterans,” Califf shares. “Most of the homeless veterans who complete the re-entry program through the HUD-VASH/ Honor Center need everything to establish their homes. Many move in with simply the clothes they own.” Unfortunately, this need is something we see far and wide throughout the nation.

Since most veterans don’t have a means of transportation, the Lodge hand delivers each package, which allows them to have a face-to-face meeting with the veteran. “This gives us the opportunity to get to know them more personally and learn the stories about their service to our country,” says Califf. Each trip is different, and some are more emotional than others, but all are grateful for what Elks do for the veteran community.

Califf ends with a challenge to other Lodges. “Why aren’t you doing it? It only takes a little to start it up, and it doesn’t cost a penny as you are reimbursed that money by ENVSC. You can roll the funds over and over again to help even more veterans in need.”

Want to join in? Visit our Welcome Home Kit page to learn more and get started.

Photo: Gary Wilcox of Saratoga-Wilton, N.Y., Lodge No. 161 poses with a veteran and her Welcome Home Kit. Saratoga-Wilton Lodge has provided 16 kits to veterans since they began participating in 2022.

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