Members of the Paris Elks Lodge #2433 made a $2,000 contribution to CitySquare Paris (CSP) this week to support the organizations mission to fight the causes and effects of poverty through service, advocacy and friendship.
In a prepared statement, “The Paris Lodge received this national grant from the national level to support CitySquare’s commitment to serving the homeless and those who struggle with adequate housing and access to the basic necessities we often take for granted. The Elks Family applauds the team at CitySquare and encourage our community to join in this challenge to help neighbors.”
Derald Bulls, CitySquare Executive Director, expressed his appreciation to the Lodge for their kindness. “We are grateful to the Elks for their investing in the lives of our neighbors in such a generous way. Our program is able to extend our reach and expand services through the support of groups such as this along with individuals, businesses, churches, foundations, and grants.”
In 2021, CSP served 518 individuals and their families. This is a 300% increase over 2020 when 146 neighbors, as CSP refers to those they serve. All services are free at 2515 Bonham Street. In 2021, 755 showers were taken, 471 loads of laundry were washed and dried, over 4,000 clothing items were provided to those in need, and some 1,600 meals were served. In addition, 223 teenagers, ages 13-18 took part in the after-school Teen Center program in 2021 compared to 80 during the pandemic of 2020. Again, overall CSP has seen a 300% in services provide last year. Bulls added, “If the first month of 2022 is an indication of the number of neighbors we have served, we are on a project to top last year’s number serve.”
To learn more about the Elks Lodge and its mission of service to the local community, you are invited to stop by 2110 36th Street N.E., call the Lodge at 903-784-5662 or visit the website www.Elks.org .
Anyone interested in learning more about CitySquare or how you can assist or volunteer, please contact Bulls by email, dbulls@citysquare.org or Program Director, Laura Woodroof, lwoodroof@citysquare.org.
PHOTO CUTLINE
Elks Lodge #2433 visited CitySquare Paris recently to present a check for $2,000 to support the work there. Pictured (foreground) Rochelle Hodge, CitySquare Paris Advisory Board Chair and Laura Woodroof, Program Director; back row, Elks Lodge members Lawrence Francis, Kirk Ballard, Doug Melton, and Cecil Poole.
