Due to complications from a global pandemic that took the world by storm, 2020 presented some challenges for charities.
Many of the normally scheduled food drives that take place every year were of necessity canceled. As a result, the volunteers responsible for carrying out the canceled food drives began to wonder how they would help food-insecure families make it through the year.
Fortunately, there were plenty of people and organizations willing to step up to the plate in a year unlike any this generation has ever seen before. One of those organizations was the Springville Kiwanis Club. The club sponsored a highly successful Sub-for-Santa food drive near the end of 2020. The club accepted donations of food and other items to help Springville families who needed the assistance.
The Springville Kiwanis Club is a service organization made up entirely of volunteers. The stated goal of the organization is to help children and youth in Springville, though their December 2020 food drive helped entire families get through challenging economic times.
With assistance from the Springville High School Key Club, Reams, Copies Plus, Springville City, Deseret Meat Packing, and other organizations and individuals, the Springville Kiwanis Club pulled off a volunteer effort that was amazing.
Generous donors gave massive amounts of food and other items. Bags of canned goods and non-perishable items covered tables and the floor of a gymnasium. Springville youth volunteered to pass out donation bags for the food, then helped to collect the filled bags.
Distribution of the food bags and food pick-up efforts were organized through Springville Kiwanis Club member Bryce Packard, who coordinated with local stake presidents, bishops, and ward councils.
Other volunteers helped organize the food, fill boxes donated from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and distribute the food.
During a challenging year, the results of the food drive brought many volunteers to tears.
“I personally was worried that we wouldn’t meet the quota needed to help our beloved community,” said Jaymie Fellows, a Springville Kiwanis Club member
But then, Springville residents responded in a big way. In an online thank-you post to the Springville community, Fellows said, “…you saw a challenge, you opened your hearts and became one. You will literally feed thousands of people. Your overwhelming generosity and love was felt.” She related to me that there were many tears shed that day as volunteers saw first-hand how much beauty can come out of a year full of tribulation.
The Springville Kiwanis Club food drive wouldn’t have been a success if it hadn’t been for the massive community effort that took place. When communities pull together as Springville did, incredible things can happen.
The Springville Kiwanis Club currently has 15 active members and would love to welcome more, especially with Art City Days happening in June 2021. Kent Woolf, the Springville Kiwanis Club President, welcomes everyone who would like to join the organization to email springvillekiwanisclub@gmail.com. (Peterson is a Serve Daily contributor.)
