Members of the Christian County Elks took 258 kids shopping for back-to-school items for a shopping spree that surpassed $26,000.
The Elks partnered with Least Of These food pantry to provide school-aged children from Chirstian County with new clothing to start the school year.
“What child does not want to start school in a new outfit?” Christian County Elks Treasurer Jerry Fritchman said. “The Christian County Elks believe that it is important to the youth in our community to be able to attend school in confidence and not be pointed out because they do not have appropriate clothing. Many families were having a hard time making ends meet, and we wanted to make a difference.”
The Ozark Walmart store provided a tax-free shopping opportunity through a Walmart Foundation grant.
The 2021 shopping trip was also made possible through the The Elks National Foundation, the Bee Payne-Stewart Foundation, the Finley River Community Foundation, several contributions from Christian County businesses, and a group of volunteers pulled from the Elks Lodge No. 2777’s members, who number 177.
The Christian County Elks Lodge No. 2777 is celebrating 29 years of service to Christian County Communities. It is one of 10 lodges in the Missouri Southwest District of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks (BPOE). For information regarding Elks programs or membership, call 417) (481-4190 or email ccelks2777ozarkmo@gmail.com for an application.
