Five community groups received charitable donations from the Marion Elks Monday.

The Boys and Girls Club of Grant County, Cancer Services of Grant County, Help the Hopeful, Marion PAL Judo and St. Martin Community Center each got $400 in annual contributions from the Elks at their country club Monday evening.

Representatives of each club were on hand to receive checks.

Jim Brunner, board member at the Boys and Girls Club, said the $400 check represents an additional 40 students the club can help through mentoring, feeding programs and tutoring.

Cancer Services Executive Director Jennifer Lane-Riefler said the organization offers education on lifestyle wellness as well as free cancer screenings to the county, including 500 free mammograms per year. She said three women have been diagnosed in 2012 thanks to the screenings, bringing the organization’s total to date to 37.

“We’ll use this funding for direct assistance,” she said.

Cancer Services provides prescriptions and other supplies directly to cancer patients.

Jay Yeakle, founder of Help the Hopeful, said the donation will help the organization reach out to ill children in Grant County and provide transportation and medical supplies.

Sia M’Bayo, assistant director and program coordinator at St. Martin, said donations help the center feed the almost 300 people who frequent its soup kitchen. St. Martin also runs a thrift store and food pantry.

Madison Endsley, a 10-year-old student at Marion PAL Judo, said learning the martial art has increased her confidence and ability to work hard.

Ed Scott, Elks secretary, said the club has donated more each of the last five years, culminating in this year’s $2,000 total.

"We started off giving $500, and it’s grown to this,” he said. “We hope to keep that going.”