Episode Details

Amron Buch This year, the Kiwanis Goodfellows program made a major impact in Kewanee, serving 950 households and 2,667 people—about 21% of the Kewanee population—with Christmas food baskets. Over 2,600 individuals received essential groceries, with each basket containing staples like ham, eggs, and canned goods. The grocery bill for 2025 was over $38,317.36. The effort relied on support from community donors, local schools, the Kiwanis Key Club, and dozens of student and adult volunteers. Their hard work saw baskets quickly packed and delivered on schedule. Organizers emphasized that every donation helps and praised the district's young people for their commitment, ensuring no one in Kewanee went hungry during the holidays.

Volunteers filled each basket with items from an impressive grocery list—859 boneless hams, over 13,500 canned goods, thousands of eggs, and heaps of fresh fruit, all thanks to countless donors and community partners. The operation involved students, school staff, and local businesses, highlighting the commitment and compassion of board members, educators, and volunteers who made it all possible. Read the full lists below.

Goodfellows asks residents to continue supporting their mission to ensure no one goes hungry at Christmas, accepting donations year-round by mail or electronically. Organizers emphasized the power of teamwork and the difference these baskets make for local families. You can donate by mail to Kewanee Good Fellows, PO Box 5, Kewanee, Illinois, 61443; PayPal; or Venmo