Elks donate backpacks

Van Wert Lodge 1197, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, has donated more than 200 backpacks to the Blessings in a Backpack Program in Van Wert. The program provides a backpack containing 7-10 kid-friendly food items to supplement meals over the weekend.   The program presently provides the backpacks to children in grades kindergarten-4 who attend Van Wert City Elementary School and St. Mary of the Assumption School. The program was started in Van Wert in January 2010 from seed money using volunteers from St. Mark’s Lutheran Church and 14 Van Wert High School seniors. (Elks photo)