Submitted Photo The Minot Elks Lodge presents a check for $2,200 from the North Dakota Elks Association to the Souris Valley United Way’s Backpack Buddies Program. From left are Rich Matteson, treasurer; Carolyn Bodell, secretary; Larry Eidsness, trustee, and Christy Miller, SVUW executive director. The state association offered funding to each Elks lodge in the state to donate to charitable programs in their areas. Backpack Buddies provides weekend food for 586 children attending 10 elementary and two middle schools within Minot Public Schools. The program anticipates packing 17,952 bags of food during the 2025-2026 school year. The $2,200.00 donated by the Elks is enough to feed eight children for a year, with funds left over.