The Toledo Tribune.
In this quiet little town of Toledo, where folks know each other by first names and wave at passing cars, there’s a tradition that’s quietly woven itself into the fabric of our community, much like a well-worn quilt. For over 40 years, the Toledo Elks have been preparing Holiday food baskets for our neighbors, filled not only with food but with a sense of care and warmth.
This year, the Elks plan to assemble 50 baskets, just as they did last year, with the help of community partners who stand shoulder to shoulder in the name of justice, charity, fidelity, and brotherly love.
The Toledo Food Pantry is always there, of course, along with the Toledo Public Library, where the quiet wisdom of books is matched only by the compassion of its people. Toledo Do it Best Hardware is lending a hand, reminding us that a community isn’t just built with nails and wood, but with kindness and generosity. And let’s not forget Toledo JC Market, where the shelves are stocked with more than groceries — they’re stocked with the memories of conversations between neighbors who’ve shared a smile or two over the years.
Our neighbors from Newport are in on it too, with Duty Insurance making sure folks are cared for, and Grocery Outlet, where a gift card can go a long way toward putting a little extra something on the holiday table.
These baskets aren’t just a quick fix; they’re carefully thought out, offering families and individuals the dignity of preparing their own home-cooked meal. Each one includes a main dish, fresh potatoes and onions — the kind that make the kitchen smell like home — and a goody bag filled with household essentials: toilet paper, facial tissues, tin foil, cling wrap, and a calendar to keep track of better days ahead. There’s a pen and notepad too, because sometimes all it takes is jotting down a few thoughts to remind us of what’s important. And then there are those gift cards to Grocery Outlet and Toledo JC Market, for whatever else folks might need to round out their meal.
This isn’t just for anyone, though. It’s for those who need it most — our seniors, folks living with disabilities, and low-income families, stretching across East County from Toledo to Siletz, Logsden, Eddyville, Elk City, Harlan, and even out to Burnt Woods. It’s for the ones who could use a hand, but also want to maintain the simple pleasure of preparing a meal in their own kitchen.
The Elks have a motto they live by: justice, charity, fidelity, and brotherly love. These aren’t just words painted on a sign somewhere; they’re the principles that guide their work. In a world that’s often fast-paced and self-centered, the Elks remind us that taking care of each other is at the heart of it all. It’s justice in the form of making sure everyone has enough, charity in the giving, fidelity in the commitment to do this year after year, and brotherly love in the quiet understanding that we’re all in this together.
So this holiday season, when the air is crisp and the lights twinkle on Main Street, think about those baskets, and the hands that packed them, the smiles shared, and the sense of community that lives in every carefully chosen item. Toledo takes care of its own, and the Elks lead the way, as they always have. Here’s to another year of baskets, and another year of neighbors helping neighbors.
If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to be part of something meaningful, to experience firsthand the impact of these principles in action — justice, charity, fidelity, and brotherly love — then perhaps it’s time to consider joining the Toledo Elks. They’re always looking for more hands and hearts to help carry on the work, to ensure that our community stays as strong and as connected as it is today. Together, we can continue this tradition of giving, of caring, and of showing that in Toledo, we never leave anyone behind.
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