Supporting Our Community Through Grants

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

Through the Gratitude Grant we are supporting a new initiative called Operation YES (Youth Empowerment and Support). Through this initiative we will supporting 3 different groups of youth in our community. We will be supporting Homeless students at Venice High to attend their Grad Night Event. We will also be providing school supplies to a palisades elementary school that has moved in with a local elementary school. Finally, University High School Football Team will be receiving a Hydration Station.

Through the Spotlight Grant our members will be providing a baby shower 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 attend the baby shower and donate items needed by the women Harvest Home serves as gifts and grant funds will be used as well. This supports the homeless and early childhood literacy.

Through the Beacon Grant the Santa Monica Elks will be purchasing nonperishable food items to donate to Nourish LA www.nourish.la/ . Nourish LA provides fresh foods to those in need as well as teaching them how to garden. Our Elks will be participating in a program called Fruity Fridays. They will be volunteering to help those in the community pick fruit from their own trees so that it does not rot and go to waste.

Through the Freedom Grant we will be providing nonperishable food items to the West LA VA 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, the 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, 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 CDCE food pantry is a vital resource for this population. The committee will organize and coordinate with scout troop leaders to pack toiletry bags and first aid kits alongside our members. Finally, they arrange vehicles and volunteers for delivering the items to the CDCE on campus. 

Our lodge hosts a variety of events for both our members and the community. Live music performances are held monthly. We also host monthly Mahjong game play through our Westside Winds Mahjong group.  Seasonal Garage Sales are organized quarterly.  We host an annual Tea, and monthly happy hour events. We host a special Christmas party for children in need. We conduct a Hoop Shoot Free-throw contest. Scholarships are awarded to graduating high school seniors. We support the Elk's Drug Awareness program and the Americanism program through essay writing, poster creation, and video production by our youth. No matter your interest, there's an activity for you!