Niles Elks Lodge celebrates Veterans Day, giving out free meals to veterans

NILES, Mich. -- Veterans day is a time when we pay homage and give thanks to those who put their lives on the line for our country, and there is no better way to do that, than cooking a hot and fresh meal for the vets we love the most.  

The Niles Elks Lodge hosted their 'Vets eat Free' dinner Wednesday where veterans from all around the area could have a place to not only eat some delicious food, but also, tell their stories and feel welcomed around those who fought right next to them.  

Elks lodge board of directors' member, Julie Clark says the free meals for veterans are inspired by their organizations' main love.  

"Veterans are one of the biggest initiatives that the Elks as an organization has," Clark said. "So, it's kind of a big deal and we thought this year. This is actually being supported by our Michigan Elks organization, and they gave us the funds to make sure that this happened this evening."  

According to elks, in 2024, voluntary service representatives and deputy representatives of the Elks order, served over 450,000 veterans in 390 facilities across the nation.   

On top of that, in the same year, they volunteered over 70,000 hours to serve over 90,000 veterans with freedom and focus grants.   

For Clark, her love and support for those who have served doesn't only stem from her affiliation with the Niles Elks lodge.   

"It's so crazy to think back about how much it means to everyone across the time even," Clark said. "I mean we're talking about Vietnam war and everything, and these are the folks that defend our country. We need them and so, they don't have to do it, but they do."  

For more information on Niles Elks Lodge, click here.