MOSES LAKE — Six-year-old Kayla Graves was so giddy Tuesday night at the Columbia Basin Elks Lodge that she could barely contain her excitement.

“Look Mom! Look Mom! Look Mom! They got everything we need! They really have it all! This place is like the best place ever,” Kayla told her mom as she was picking up school supplies for the upcoming school year.

Kayla was one of hundreds of kids who made their way to the Elks Lodge in Moses Lake Tuesday night for a school supply giveaway and free taco dinner. The event was billed to start at 5:30 p.m., but by 5 p.m. the line outside the lodge stretched all the way into the parking lot. The giveaway was made possible by a $4,000 grant the Elks Lodge obtained to be used in the community.

“We partnered with Walmart, so they helped us out a lot and gave us some great deals. And we are giving out some tacos and trying to help out the community,” Elks Lodge member and event coordinator Eric Nelson said. “As Elks we concentrate on veterans, school kids, just any way that we can better the community. We are just trying to get the word out there that the lodge is still active in the community.”

The only downside to the giveaway was that the supplies went quick and not everyone in line was able get the gear they need for school. Sure there was some disappointed faces, but a lot of the people who showed up were thankful for the gesture.

“No we didn’t get anything. But you know, it’s nice to know that people actually care and realize how hard it can be to send your kids to school when money is tight,” Veronica Taylor remarked.

Richard Byrd can be reached via email at city@columbiabasinherald.com.