The Pratt Elks Lodge #1451 successfully hosted its annual Christmas Basket Project in partnership with the Pratt County Food Bank on Saturday, December 14th. The event brought relief and holiday cheer to 30 local families.

The Food Bank provided a list of 30 families in need, who were then contacted by Lodge volunteers. These families were informed they would receive a Christmas Basket from the Elks Lodge in place of the Food Bank’s traditional Christmas Box.

Funding for the project was generously provided by Elks Lodge donations, totaling $1400. This allowed the Lodge to assemble comprehensive baskets filled with essential food items, including:

• Pancake mix, syrup, eggs, milk
• Canned fruits and vegetables, potatoes
• Turkey stuffing mix, gravy packets, hamburger helper
• Brownie mix, peanut butter, rolls, bread
• Spaghetti sauce, spaghetti, mac and cheese

The Food Bank also generously donated 30 turkeys, which were supplemented with extra meat provided by several dedicated Elks Lodge volunteers.

To add a special touch, each recipient received a brand-new book filled with delightful stories for children. These books were part of a recent donation to the Elks Lodge.

The night before the event, 30 Lodge volunteers diligently assembled the Christmas Baskets. On Saturday, 20 Lodge members joined the effort, ensuring a smooth and efficient distribution process.

Recipients were warmly welcomed into the Elks Lodge with cheerful “Merry Christmas” greetings. Under the Lodge’s car port, volunteers carefully loaded the Christmas Baskets into each recipient’s vehicle, along with the donated storybooks.

The Christmas Basket Project was a resounding success, demonstrating the Elks Lodge’s commitment to supporting the Pratt community during the holiday season.