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 and generous donors helped gather a remarkable array of food, including nearly 1,000 hams, 13,546 donated cans, and over three tons of potatoes. 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
The total grocery order to fill this year’s baskets included:
– 859 hams (boneless, four pounds)
– 1,300 dozen eggs
– 516 gallons of milk
– 1,041 pounds of margarine
– 910 jars of grape jelly
– 1,456 boxes of macaroni and cheese
– 1,041 jars of spaghetti sauce
– 1,041 boxes of Tuna Helper
– 13,546 donated cans of food
– 3.45 tons of potatoes
– 91 large bone-in hams
– 525 half gallons of milk
– 1,375 loaves of bread
– 910 jars of peanut butter
– 1,900 cans of soup
– 1,041 boxes of spaghetti
– 5,682 apples and bananas
– 1,041 packs of Ramen Noodles
Kewanee Good Fellows Board Members include Amron Buchanan (President), Ken Knowles (Vice-President), Teresa Bryner (Secretary/Treasurer), Heidi Abernathy, Archie Daniel, Greg Christiansen, Adriana Garcia, Steve Sullivan, Amy Miller, Gary Monohon, Dawn Newman, Holly Ruzz, Elaine Stanley, Mary Stanley, Chelsea Soule, Jennifer Vickery, and Chad Young
“Good Fellow’s Christmas Basket Club, Inc. wishes to thank the following individuals, businesses, and organizations. Without the kindness and generosity of the following people and entities, the production and delivery of 860 baskets would not have happened.”
– Dedicated Board of Directors of Good Fellow’s Christmas Basket Club, Inc.
– All generous donors
– Kewanee Community School District #229, Mrs. Baney, Superintendent
– Kewanee High School, Amanda Tidwell, Principal
– Mary Simaytis, Basket recipient coordinator
– Office staff at Kewanee High School
– Kewanee Key Club Members, Amy Mier, Faculty Advisor
– Kewanee High School organizations, including
– Kewanee Musical, Director, Heather Olalde
– Wrestling team, Coach, Charley Eads
– Girls basketball, Coach, Dave Wallace
– Boys basketball, Coach, Dayton Ince
– Cheer Squad, Coach, Emily Robinson
– Dance Squad, Coach, Katie Anderson
– FFA, Advisors, Kindra Callahan and Annie Johnson
– Central School, Jason Anderson, Principal
– Central School Office Staff
– Custodial Staff, Brian Taylor
– Central School Cafeteria Staff
– Central Builders Club members, Heidi Abernathy, Faculty Advisor
– Central K-Kids members, Chelsea Stout and Jennifer Vickrey, Faculty Advisors
– Central School Student Council Members, Brock Blessman and Paige Wexell, Advisors
– Lyle Preschool, Dena Brants, Program Coordinator
– Belle Alexander Attendance Center, Casie Douglas, Principal
– Irving Attendance Center, Amanda Manx, Principal
– Regional Daily News, WKEI – Jennifer Russell
– Wethersfield Community School District #230, Dr. Brooks, Superintendent
– Wethersfield Junior/Senior High School, Tyler Nichols, Principal
– Wethersfield Key Club members, Adriana Garcia, Faculty Advisor
– Wethersfield Builders Club member, Dawn Newman, Faculty Advisor
– Wethersfield K-Kids, Laura Evans, Faculty Advisor
– Visitation Catholic School Builders Club members, Erin Stevenson, Faculty Advisor
– Kewanee Pool and Spa – Doug and Dave Wager
– Johnson Appliance – Bob and Galen Johnson
– Save-A-Lot – Everett Whitcher
– City of Kewanee, Recycle truck – Jack Calhoun
– Henry County Housing Authority Staff – helps with the delivery of food boxes
