Canton Kiwanis Feast Box Project

Over 40 years ago, a Canton Kiwanian shared a memory from his childhood of Christmases when his hard-working family rose from the dinner table feeling blessed and joyful, but still a little bit hungry. That Club member challenged his fellow Kiwanians to share with him, through individual donations, a project that added to holiday provisions but also honored the pride of good providers. He had grown up in Canton and knew the community, so he quietly delivered food boxes, himself. In subsequent years, other Club members helped with deliveries, and NECAC helped to identify good providers who needed a little extra nourishment at Christmas time. Gradually, rather than assemble the boxes themselves, Kiwanians partnered with County Market to replace cartons with cards designated for food only.

Kiwanians have always funded Feast Boxes with individual donations, personally and through the generosity of community businesses and organizations. For many years, Club members bagged groceries at County Market for tips to give a public presence to the project. In consideration of social distancing, Kiwanians themselves will not be at the ends of aisles this season, but the traditional donation boxes will be there for individuals and organizations to participate in the sharing. Families may not all gather with each other for Christmas dinner this year, but some may still benefit from the project. The unsettled times also allow Canton Kiwanis Club to refocus on the original spirit of the Feast Box and reaffirm that original Kiwanian’s impulse to make sure children of good providers do not rise from the dinner table a little bit hungry. Kiwanis International works to improve the world’s communities one child at a time.
To share in the Feast Box project, give a donation to any Kiwanis member or send a check to Canton Kiwanis Club, Box 63, Canton, MO 63435.