Kiwanis helps with food for families

The Shafter Kiwanis Club works year round to enrich the lives of Shafter residents, especially its youth. In addition to their Terrific Kids Luncheon program, the club holds several events throughout the year, sponsors several sports teams and usually backs a contestant in the Distinguished Young Womans program.

Last week, the members of the organization were busy packing over 70 boxes of food for needy families. Each box contained a protein, vegetables, bread, potatoes and more

They were not alone in this venture, either. Students from Shafter High School, including the girls basketball team, as well as the school's Key Club, were on hand to build the food baskets.

According to Kiwanis President Ben Wilson, there were 75 boxes packed up. The club works closely with the Shafter Healthy Start, who gives the club the names of families that they know are in need during this holiday time.

According to Ben Wilson, who was in charge of the event, each family received boxes of canned goods, as well as miscellaneous items, such as boxes of pasta and cereal.

Together, the schools collected enough food for almost 100 boxes. "We had enough to give larger families extra boxes of food," said Wilson.

After the food drives were held, the bounty was delivered to the Shafter Kiwanis Club, which organized the distribution of the packages.

The Shafter High Key Club is an extension of the Shafter Kiwanis Club, with its members committed to serving the community, especially its youth. "The Key Club is modeled after the Kiwanis Club, doing community service projects throughout the year," Wilson said.