The Homer Elks Lodge #2127 announced last week their completion of a $12,000 Hometown Elks Local Project Grant awarded to the lodge earlier this year by the Alaska State Elks Association. The Homer Elks continued their mission of community support by using these funds to provide for local veterans and a nonprofit organization.
Exalted Ruler Jill Hockema said in an interview last Thursday, Dec. 18, that the Homer lodge’s application was approved by the state association in June. They allocated $10,000 towards projects for the Anchor Point Food Pantry, and used the remaining $2,000 to purchase grocery gift cards for local veterans.
The Homer Elks purchased new kitchen cabinets and countertops for the pantry, which were completely installed by mid-September. Hockema also said that Fat Olives owners Lisa and Steve “Tiny” Nolan donated a gas range to the pantry, and another community member donated a range hood to help complete the kitchen remodel.
“I hope the locals have noticed how excited we are about our working commercial kitchen. There are so many local people and organizations that have joined in to make sure we have the food we need and can keep our utilities running so that we can help out neighbors with food,” APFP board president Missy Martin wrote in an email to Homer News Sunday. “The Elks put in our cabinets and made sure we have a stove and hood. Then they installed it!”
Hockema said that the Homer Elks were “just thrilled” to be able to help give the pantry a functioning kitchen so they can continue to serve the local community.
In addition to the kitchen remodel, the lodge purchased “thousands of dollars’ worth” of food, according to Martin, for APFP’s student meal bags, which Hockema said feeds 40-60 Chapman School students each week.
“Thank you to the state and local Elks. They all chipped in. What a wonderful and generous organization!” Martin wrote.
The lodge used the remaining grant funds to buy 20 $100 grocery gift certificates which they distributed to veterans in the Anchor Point and Homer communities. Hockema said that the Elks gave out 10 certificates at Thanksgiving and distributed the other 10 on Dec. 12 — officially marking the completion of their HELP grant.
Find the Homer Elks Lodge #2127 on Facebook and see more of what they next have in store.
The Anchor Point Food Pantry will host a Christmas Eve dinner, open to the public, on Wednesday, Dec. 24 from 2-4 p.m. For more information, find them on Facebook or visit anchorpointfoodpantry.org.
Homer Elks Lodge #2127 Loyal Knight Lenny Eubanks is photographed in the completed kitchen at the Anchor Point Food Pantry in September 2025. Photo provided by Jill Hockema
