Barre Elks Lodge #1535 was the recipient of a $2,000 Beacon Grant from Elks National Foundation. Beacon Grants offer Lodges the opportunity to develop an ongoing, charitable, Elks-led community project.

Barre Lodge chose to work with The Veterans’ Place in Northfield to help meet and fulfill the needs of the veterans it serves. The Veterans’ Place is a transitional housing facility combined with assistive services for homeless veterans in Central Vermont.

The purpose of The Veterans’ Place is to help Vermont’s homeless veterans by providing desperately needed resources in an all-in-one locale so these veterans may regain their pride, reach their full potential, and once again become contributing members of society.

Lodge members purchased essential items needed by veterans transitioning from The Veterans’ Place into their own apartment. Sheets, pillows, pillowcases, hangers, bath mats, toiletries, towels, extension cords, glasses, cleaning supplies and many other items were packaged into “welcome home” kits. Each veteran transitioning from The Veterans’ Place will be able to use items from their kit to set up their new home.