Community Service Projects

Below is a list of the projects and activities in which we have been involved over the past two years:

Weekend Survival Kits¹–Biweekly weekend kits of food are distributed to students identified by social services. Additional food deliveries to the homes of children during school closures.

Dictionary Project²–Dictionaries for East Lansing third graders to keep are distributed each year. Sixth graders receive thesaurus. We also deliver these to other schools not within the public school system. 

Kiwanis Snack Packs²–Snacks are given to each elementary school teacher to distribute to students who can not afford or did not bring a snack for the day’s break. This snack allows teachers to not purchase snacks out of pocket. 

Davies Project³–Provides rides to medical appointments for families without other transportation options. (Click here to learn more about the Davies Project.)

Kiwanis Annual Candy Hunt⁴–Children of all ages through fifth grade hunt at Patriarch Park for bags of candy. Areas are separated by age groups to allow toddlers more time to find their treats. 

Holiday Meal Delivery⁵—Holiday meals and food baskets are delivered to homes from St. Luke Ministries kitchen.

Book Distribution⁶–Working with the CALC, books are distributed to area schools for students to take home and keep. Used children’s books are collected by the club for distribution. Hundreds of books have been given out to students in each elementary grade level. 

Kiwanis Community Band⁸—A 60 piece band is open for all community musicians to join in summer outdoor concerts. Free concerts are performed throughout the area.

Youth Leadership Programs:

Our club also sponsors youth leadership programs at the East Lansing High School (Key Club) and Michigan State University (Circle K). Click here to find out more.

Past Service Projects:

In the past we have also undertaken a number of major projects to enhance our community.
Here are just a few:

• In 1963 the club built and donated to the City of East Lansing a pavilion in Patriarche Park seating around 400 persons.
• In 1997, the club built a permanent barbecue pit for the annual Chicken Barbecue. This barbecue pit is available for use by the public while they are enjoying the Park.
• Our club has produced a City Dictionary for new residents and hosted a welcome reception for foreign visitors.
• For over 51 years the club sponsored scout troops for mentally disabled individuals at Beekman Center
• The club sent phone cards and letters to soldiers on active duty in Afghanistan.
• The club hosted Red Cross blood drives.