Making a Difference 

The Santa Monica Elks Lodge is committed to improving lives through volunteer service, charitable giving, and community partnerships. This page highlights the impact our members have made each year through programs benefiting veterans, youth, families, and local nonprofits.

The Santa Monica Elks support our community through several programs. Many of these programs are funded through grants that our lodge applies for each year through the Elks National Foundation Community Investments Program. 

Through the Gratitude Grant we are supporting Operation YES (Youth Empowerment and Support). Operation YES reflects the Santa Monica Elks' commitment to helping local youth and families thrive. Through this community initiative, we support local homeless high school seniors attending Grad Night, provide backpacks and school supplies to local elementary students, stock our Little Free Library with books for all ages, and maintain our community pantry with food and essential items. Together, these programs promote education, literacy, and hope while making a meaningful difference throughout our community. 

Through the Spotlight Grant our members will be providing a baby shower drive to support an organization called Harvest Home www.harvesthomela.org/ . This organization takes in homeless pregnant women and provides them the support they may need. Our elks will donate items and books needed by the women Harvest Home serves This supports the homeless and early childhood literacy.

Through the Beacon Grant the Santa Monica Elks will be supporting two Santa Monica Lodge–initiated charitable programs: P.A.W.S. (Partners Assisting Warriors & Service Animals) and E.L.K.S. (Equipping Little Kids for Success). 

• P.A.W.S. focuses on assisting veterans by ensuring their companion animals receive proper food year-round, promoting the health and well-being of both the pets and their owners.

• The E.L.K.S. program focuses on addressing food insecurity among underserved Santa Monica elementary school students by providing food assistance during critical times, specifically winter and spring breaks when school meals are unavailable. 

Through the Freedom Grant we will be providing nonperishable food items to the West LA Veterans Administration's Center of Development and Civic Engagement (CDCE) food pantry. The availability of a food pantry close by their new home will help our veterans as they transition from homelessness to a safe and comfortable home on the West LA VA Campus. 

Through the $10,000 Focus Grant, we will be supporting Operation Veterans Support. Our Veterans Committee and members will assist in researching the best pricing and acquiring necessary items. These items include hygiene products for men and women, business attire for both men and women, and first aid supplies. We will also be providing nonperishable food, and water for the food pantry. The food and water provided will directly alleviate food insecurity among our most vulnerable veterans. The committee will organize and coordinate with scout troop leaders to pack toiletry bags and first aid kits alongside our members. Two of our the largest events take place in June and December. During these events, we will provide lunch for 600 veterans while our members’ band, made up of veterans living on the VA campus, entertains them with live music. We will also set up a variety of booths offering essential items veterans need for everyday life