The Open Door  
Julie LaFontaine, President and CEO  
28 Emerson Ave.,  
Gloucester, MA 01930  

 
Media Contact: Kelsey Richards 
Email: kelsey.richards@foodpantry.org 
Phone: 978-283-6776 x 226 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  
Thursday, March 7, 2024 

Gloucester Elks Donate $8,000 to Help Feed Local People at The Open Door 

GLOUCESTER— The Gloucester Elks Lodge #892 awarded an Elks National Foundation Beacon Grant of $8,000 to The Open Door today to help feed local people.  

“The Gloucester Elks have a long history helping to connect local people to good food here on Cape Ann and have worn many hats as they organize food drives, donate, host bowl paintings, and volunteer,” President and CEO Julie LaFontaine said. “We deeply appreciate their steadfast support.” 

The Gloucester Elks hold regular food drives for The Open Door, and recently hosted their second annual free, public bowl painting on February 17 in support of the upcoming The Open Door Empty Bowl Circus fundraiser. 

“There’s really no gesture too small to create a huge impact and this is what we do at the Elks,” said Gloucester Elks Lodge #892 Exalted Ruler Alden Hiltz Tarr. “Everything we’re able to do to contribute to our community, our home, we’re willing and able to do. Elks care, Elks share.”  

Representatives of the Gloucester Elks Lodge #892 presented the donation at The Open Door on Wednesday including Tarr, Elks Secretary/PER Pat Laidlaw, Elks Leading Knight/PER Patty Sholds, Elks Trustee Maria Clarke,  Elks Trustee/PER Gil Laidlaw, Elks National Foundation Chairperson Rosalie Lentini, and Elks National Foundation Secretary Nicole Coles. 

About The Open Door  

The mission of The Open Door is to alleviate the impact of hunger in our community. We use practical strategies to connect people to good food, to advocate on behalf of those in need, and to engage others in the work of building food security. 

Founded in 1978, The Open Door is a 501 (c)(3) tax exempt nonprofit and community food resource center for low-income residents of Gloucester, Rockport, Manchester, Essex, Ipswich, Hamilton, Boxford, Rowley, Topsfield, and Wenham. In 2023, The Open Door helped stabilize the lives and health of 9,836 people from 4,952 households through the distribution of 1.98 million pounds of food. 

For more information, visit FOODPANTRY.org. 

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