Local Lodges in the Wisconsin Elks Association, including Rice Lake Lodge #1441, have donated 17,225 pounds of potatoes to food pantries, shelters, first responder and other groups who prepare meals and provide help to their communities.
It started when past State President Karl Hanke of Wausau Lodge #414 issued a “Potato Challenge“ in 2023 after noticing Kwik Trip Stores offered a deal for 5 pounds of potatoes for $0.99 around the holidays. Hanke bought some potatoes, donated them, but additionally challenged Elk members to do the same.
The Elks organization is made up of volunteers who give back to their communities through service and donations, so they seized on Hanke’s challenge. Even members could not have imagined the 4,000 pounds they donated in 2023 was small potatoes.
When the “Potato Challenge” was issued in 2024, Elks Lodges throughout Wisconsin dug deep. Individuals as well as Lodges opened their pocketbooks, gathered the potatoes and delivered throughout November and into mid-December to help their communities.