BARRON COUNTY — Elks Lodges statewide participated in a ‘Potato Challenge’ to demonstrate the Elks Care-Elks Share motto demonstrating they care about the community and Food insecurities that arise during November and December.
The contest ended on December 31. The directions were simple:
- Secure potatoes;
- Donate to a Family, Fire/Police Stations, Food Banks, EMS, Soup Kitchen or any person that could use them;
- and Report on your donations to project manager.
Rice Lake Lodge #1441 announced the challenge to the members and suggested deadline dates and gave the option to donate to personal contacts or to bring them to the Lodge for group distribution. Approximately 650lbs were donated by members.
Nuto Farms owners are local Elk members and became aware of the challenge and initially made a 2,000 lb. donation of potatoes. The Business owners were then interested on how they could participate at a higher level.
Nuto Farms Office
407 East Sawyer Street, Rice Lake, WI 54858
Nuto Farms Warehouse/Nuto Owners with Elks Leadership Team
Row 1, L to Right: Jason Sedowski (Nuto Employee)
Row 2, Left to Right: Anne Gallagher (PER/Lecturing Knight), Hokey West (Owner), Dennis West (Owner)
Row 3, Left to Right: Tony Wampler (PER/Trustee), Don Putnam (PER/Chef), Jeffery Miller (PER/Wisconsin State Elks President), Marla Gygli (PER/Secretary), Sonja Bliese (Treas), Rita Gronski (Exalted Ruler), Adam West (Owner)
Discussions with options were presented by Elk’s members which included involving Feed My People-which is a hunger relief program, would be the best option. That decision resulted in 41,908 lbs. donated to Rice Lake Elks #1441. Local Elks Lodge then donated the product to Feed My People.
State President Jeffery Miller sending out Semi with 41,908 lb. of potatoes.
Members learned how the number of potatoes could be maximized in delivery to those in need. Collaborating with Feed My People Hunger Relief that serves 14 west central Wisconsin counties that receive product when needed was the solution. The Feed My People program delivers to 24 organizations in Barron County, including 8 groups in Rice Lake. Feed My People has a vision of ending Hunger in West Central Wisconsin.
Rice Lake Lodge #1441 is extremely grateful for the partnership with Nuto Farms and the generosity of the donation to assist in making a better holiday for hundreds of people. Credit also needs to be given to Feed My People as they embraced the teamwork necessary for this project through collective efforts.
Rice Lake Elks Lodge #1441 completed several additional projects during the holiday period-Giving Tree, Can Hunger and asking for donations for cold weather clothing for families and veterans demonstrating Elks Care-Elks Share.
West Family
L To R: Dennis West (Owner), Taylor West, Hokey West (Owner), Adam West
Last Update: Jan 07, 2026 9:40 am CST
