Efelt Food Hub Opens to Serve Manatee County
Through the generosity of numerous donors and community partners, EFELT (Elks Feeding Empty Little Tummies) has officially opened a new food storage and distribution hub at Bradenton Lodge #1511, marking a significant milestone in the organization’s ongoing mission to combat childhood hunger in Manatee County.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held on January 10, welcoming Lodge members, donors, volunteers, and supporters for a first look inside the newly completed facility. Guests were invited to tour the building and learn firsthand how EFELT operates—from purchasing and storing food to managing inventory and assembling weekend meal bags for local students in need.
During the event, volunteers explained how the program currently serves approximately 700 children across 13 schools, ensuring they have access to nutritious food during weekends when school meals are unavailable. Each bag is carefully packed with kid-friendly, shelf-stable items designed to provide multiple meals, helping bridge the gap for families facing food insecurity.
The new storage hub significantly improves EFELT’s ability to operate efficiently, offering expanded space for food storage, improved organization, and streamlined packing and distribution. This upgrade allows volunteers to work more effectively while positioning the organization for future growth as demand continues to rise.
EFELT is a volunteer-driven initiative supported by the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, local businesses, and individual donors who recognize the critical role nutrition plays in a child’s health, academic success, and overall well-being. By addressing weekend hunger, EFELT helps ensure that children return to school on Monday ready to learn rather than worrying about where their next meal will come from.
Organizers say the new hub represents not just a building, but a renewed commitment to the community—and a powerful example of what can be accomplished when neighbors come together to support local children.
Photo from Efelt