Giving back

Members of the Coeur d’Alene Elks and Boy Scout Troop 202 dropped off donations at Community Action Partnership in Coeur d’Alene on Friday.

“This time of year is not always the best time of year for food and donations so this really helps us tremendously,” food bank manager Darrell Rickard said.

February and March are the hardest months for the food bank to get supplies.

To help, the Elks donated $1,500 and food supplies.

Debbi Nadrchal, past exalted ruler of the Elks, said they have several grants available each year that they use to give back to the community.

In conjunction with the Elks, the Boy Scouts donated a check for $711 which they earned through working for tips at the Elks Lodge as well as through other fundraisers such as raking leaves.

“It’s good to know that people are able to get what they need,” said 14-year-old Boy Scout Logan Fisher.

The Scouts served at the Elks Lodge for their dinners, serving food, washing dishes and cleaning. After the dinner, the Elks pass out a basket for tips.

“They’re absolutely wonderful; they’re the best,” Nadrchal said. “It’s the best thing we’ve come up with.”

Nadrchal said Elks support the Boy Scouts in many ways including through their Eagle Scout program where they present and Eagle Scout with a flag and other items.

“So this is big for us,” Nadrchal said.

Bruce Dubke of the Boy Scout troop committee said working with the Elks has been very beneficial for the troop.

“I think the boys have shown a lot of growth,” Dubke said. “It forces them to interact with adults they don't know, so I think in that level it’s really beneficial for a lot of our scouts to kind of come out of their shell.”

The Elks members will ask the scouts about the troupe and themselves, and have them explain their favorite merit badges.

“So they have to engage,” Dubke said. “It’s a good life experience for them.”

“They are really nice kids,” said past exalted ruler of the Elks, Karen Magner. “They really are.”