By RUTH GILL
Enquirer~Democrat Reporter
The Carlinville Elks Lodge #1412 successfully distributed 210 Christmas food baskets Saturday morning, December 20, to families in Carlinville and the surrounding area, continuing a long-standing tradition of holiday service and community support. The effort was made possible through the generosity of Lodge members, community donors, local business support, and a series of successful fundraisers held throughout the year.
The annual Christmas Basket program has been a cornerstone of the Lodge’s charitable efforts for decades, providing food and essentials to families during the holiday season. Each basket contained a mix of shelf-stable and perishable items intended to help households stretch their food budgets during Christmas week. This year, the Elks also added a few small holiday treats for children to help “sprinkle a little joy” into each basket. Volunteers gathered early Saturday morning at the Elks Lodge to pack, organize, and deliver the boxes throughout the community.
Read the full story in the January 1, 2026 issue of the Macoupin County Enquirer~Democrat.
Dining and Cooking