When the Kiwanis Club of La Cañada-AM saw a need in the foothill community that involved the well-being of children, the club set about to make something happen. Such a need came to its attention last fall, coming to fruition right before Christmas.

New member Joanne Berg was aware of a group of 39 families in the foothills that were living below the poverty level. The Kiwanis were presented with a challenge of supplying each family two bags of groceries, a gift certificate to Smart and Final, and presents for each child in the family.

The Club accepted the challenge.

With the help of a $1,500 grant from the Kiwanis Foundation, friends and member donations of food/toys/money, and a tag sale the monies raised provided full grocery bags of non-perishable items and gift cards, along with books and toys for children of all ages.

During the third week in December, 78 bags of groceries, 39 cans of popcorn, 39 large Santa Sacks of gifts were loaded into two large vans made available by Volunteers of America. These vans took the food and gifts to the Head Start headquarters in Sylmar. Kiwanis Club members and Head Start employees distributed the packages to those 39 families in need.

The foothill families had fuller tummies and many presents under the tree this year because the Kiwanis Club of La Cañada-AM stepped up to the plate in helping “one child and one community at a time” – the motto of the Kiwanis.

Anyone interested in becoming a part of the La Cañada-AM Kiwanis Club can stop by any Wednesday morning at the Lutheran Church in the Foothills Fellowship Hall on Foothill Boulevard and visit between 7:30 a.m. and 8:30 a.m.

Contributed by Rosemary HOOK

  Rosemary HOOK