John Geraci, Jamestown Elks Lodge 263 treasurer, presents a $3,500 donation to Jeffrey Smith, St. Susan Center executive director, as one of the center’s volunteers looks on. Submitted photo

Jamestown Elks Lodge 263 is awarding $3,500 to St. Susan Center to purchase 1,000 meals for the summer season when meal counts increase dramatically.

“We are always glad to be able to support our community soup kitchen with these grant awards,” said John Geraci, lodge treasurer. “These awards are made possible through The Beacon Grant. We thank them for their annual support and making these donations possible.”

In 2017 St. Susan Center served 121,547 meals. That number is projected to increase slightly in 2018; the center has served 56,017 meals through the first six months of the year, including 10,003 in April. The center typically averages about 9,300 meals a month.

“On behalf of everyone at St. Susan Center, I want to thank the Jamestown Elks Lodge 263 for their very generous donation,” said Jeffrey Smith, St. Susan Center executive director. “Every year their donation continues to help feed those who are in need in our community.”