Elks to distribute Christmas baskets to the community

Joplin, Mo. — A tradition that began at the end of World War II as a way for the Elks to help the community continues still today.

On Saturday, Dec. 21 beginning at 8:30 am, Elks members will gather to distribute Christmas baskets out into the community. This event will take place at the Elks Lodge located at 1802 W. 26th Street.

This will be the 80th year the Elks Lodge #501 has given out Christmas Baskets. This tradition has grown from a basket containing enough food for a Christmas dinner, to now the baskets include the ingredients for a traditional Christmas meal, food staples to stock the family’s pantry, and gifts for any children 12 and under in the family. This is a joint project between, the Elks members, Elks Auxiliary and many community partners such as Food 4 Less, Opal Foods and vendors from KeHE Distributors. The Lodge raises funds throughout the year to help fund the Christmas Basket Initiative. These funds are used to purchase food items for the basket. Several years into the project the Auxiliary became involved by raising funds to purchase toys to be added to the baskets. This year the Auxiliary raised over $8,000 and purchased gifts for 345 children.

Families who find themselves in need this Christmas have applied to receive a basket.

“Typically we deliver 200 baskets each year. This year we decided to increase the number of families we can assist and will be distributing 233 baskets,” said Nancy Bettasso, Christmas Basket Chairperson. “Throughout this week the baskets have been assembled and on Saturday morning Elks members will pick up the baskets and deliver to recipients to help make their Christmas just a little bit brighter,” she said.

The Christmas Basket Project is just one more way in which the The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks is a fraternal organization. The Joplin Lodge has been a part of the community since 1899.