Representatives from Elks Lodge 1358 present Meals on Wheels members with a donation. Pictured left to right: Crystal Eckenroad, Finance Coordinator, MoWSC; Staci J. Dempsey, Insurance Advisor, Dempsey Weiss & Associates and MoWSC Board Chairperson; Carly Melchert, Executive Director, MoWSC; Jackson Graham, Exalted Ruler, Penns Grove Elks Lodge 1358 and Robin Cogdill, Secretary, Penns Grove Elks Lodge 1358.
Representatives from Penns Grove Elks Lodge #1358 in Carney’s Point presented Meals on Wheels of Salem County (MoWSC) with a donation during the lodge’s Centennial Celebration. Meals on Wheels of Salem County was fortunate to be a recipient of a $2,500.00 Gratitude Grant thanks to the members of the Elks Lodge who nominated and voted for the organization.
According to Carly Melchert, Executive Director of MoWSC, “unrestricted funds such as this are a blessing to the organization. Funds of this nature allow Meals on Wheels of Salem County the ability to extend meal services to even more clients in need.”
Each year Meals on Wheels of Salem County serves more than 250 senior and disabled Salem County residents. Approximately 12% of the clients served each year are individuals under 60 years of age who have disabilities that prevent them from being able to prepare a nutritious meal on their own. Melchert explained that there has been a rise in requests for meals for clients under 60, specifically since the grocery store in Salem closed in the fall of 2017. “Programs to help this group of individuals are scarce and so are our funds to do so. This gift from the Penns Grove Elks Lodge enables us to be able to continue to provide this valuable service to people who otherwise may not be getting the food they need. We want to serve out our mission to as many Salem County residents as possible.”
Sue Ann Leighty, Executive Director at Habitat for Humanity Salem County, Elks Lodge #1358 member and MoWSC volunteer said, “There were several suggestions made by the general membership. Our lodge voted and MoWSC was selected. Our lodge in particular, considering the small size, is very charitable. We are always open to non-profits using the facility to host fund raisers, etc. Our members are tremendously caring people who love MoWSC and our community.”