Staff reports 8 a.m.
Monday, March 24, 2025 9:00 am
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ROCHESTER - Throughout the month of March, the Rochester Elks Lodge held a coat drive and also collected toiletries for the Home For Now shelter on Washington Street.
The donations delivered on Friday included more than 40 coats along with other warm clothing and a large box of toiletries to help clients/families of the "Home For Now" shelter keep warm for the remainder of the colder weather.
The Rochester Elks also donate food for their food pantry on a regular basis. Additionally, Lodge members assist with packing food boxes and holiday baskets as needed and volunteer their time to help organize and distribute food pantry items.
"Home For Now" is a year-round shelter that provides a safe home and programming for homeless community members and families. They have 10 bedrooms with a total of 32 beds and 1 emergency overnight folding bed. Each client/family is required to meet with their in-house case manager at least once a week. They help the clients get state benefits, SSI/SSDI, food, clothing, housing, etc.
In addition, they offer case management, help finding jobs, resume assistance and interview skills, support groups, etc.
For more information about the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks go to elks.org or contact the Rochester Elks Lodge Secretary, Norm Gervais at (603) 332-9700 ext. 2 or email at sec1393@metrocast.net
Caption: From left, Alix Gagnon CAPSC Shelter Support Staff, Morgan Buinicky CAPSC Homeless Resource Advocate, Nicole Lazarz CAPSC HFN Shelter Manager, John Moynihan CAPSC Chief Advancement Officer, and Georgette Verhelle, Grants Coordinator and Ken Verhelle, Esteemed Lecturing Knight, for Rochester Elks Lodge #1393 (Courtesy photo)