The Kiwanis Club of Downtown Athens will be holding its 5th annual Chili Luncheon to help raise funds to support a program that aims to give young students school supplies.
The First United Methodist Church, 2 South College St., will be opening its doors to chili-hungry citizens for the benefit of the Kiwanis Club’s Smart Start program, a program that gave away over 600 Smart Start Kits last year.
“Every kindergartener in Athens County got a Smart Start Kit last year,” said Maryann Hartwick, the Chair of the Youth Services Committee for the club.
Hartwick explained that Smart Start Kit comes with necessary school
supplies such as glue, rulers and pencils.
Thomas said it was common for the event to accumulate sponsors as the luncheon gets closer.
“The (local) business community is very generous… businesses sign up until the day of the event,” said Hartwick.
The event typically makes around $2,000, which will go either to scholarships or other Kiwanis projects.
The chili Luncheon will occur on Friday Feb. 3 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and will cost $6.
