×
×
homepage logo

Kiwanis brings back annual Chili Supper fundraiser

By Tabitha Johnston - Chronicle Staff | Dec 3, 2021

Community members support the Shepherdstown Kiwanis Club, by purchasing $5 and $10 donated items at the annual Chili Supper fundraiser on Friday in the War Memorial Building. Tabitha Johnston

SHEPHERDSTOWN — The fragrant scent of food wafted from the second story of the War Memorial Building on Friday evening, where the Shepherdstown Kiwanis Club once again was holding its annual Chili Supper fundraiser.

Homemade cornbread was served, along with the chili, which catered to.a variety of tastes. According to club secretary Adele Knott, the.chili ranged from mild to hot in spiciness, and featured meats such as venison, rabbit and beef. A vegetarian option was also available.

“We’ve had a great turnout — we were very pleased,” Knott said, while on a break from dishing up chili in the kitchen.

According to fellow event volunteer and club member Bill Walls, the day’s colder weather seemed to have affected attendance.

“When it’s really cold, we don’t do as well as when it’s warm,” Walls said. “So it was a little lighter this year.”

Shepherdstown Kiwanis Club member Bill Walls, right, talks with Jefferson High School Key Club volunteers Faith Foglesong, Alex Arzt, Solomon Logan and Sam Corum, at Friday’s Chili Supper in the War Memorial Building. Tabitha Johnston

Overall, however, the purpose of the fundraiser was accomplished, as a number of community members migrated to the fundraiser throughout the evening. Along with helping the club raise money by paying for a warm meal, the attendees exchanged additional money at the event, to purchase donated items, which were marked at costing either or $5 or $10.

According to Knott, the $5 and $10 tables were the replacement for the raffle that had previously been held at the fundraiser in years past.

“We did it, just to change the event up a little bit,” Knott said.

“All proceeds go to helping this community and its youth,” Knott said. “The fund from the sales tables are going to the children’s department of the new Shepherdstown Public Library building. The rest of the proceeds from this event are going to all of Kiwanis’ other children’s projects.”

While the event is led every year by the Shepherdstown Kiwanis Club, Knott said it often receives assistance from outside of the club, with staffing the event. At this year’s fundraiser, a handful of Jefferson High School Key Club members were volunteering their time by serving customers at the drinks station, the new Jefferson High School Key Club advisor was helping man the ticket sales table and a couple of Charles Town Kiwanis Club members were running the $5 and $10 tables.

Shepherdstown resident Mercedes Prohaska talks with Shepherdstown Kiwanis Club members at the Chili Supper’s food counter on Friday night in the War Memorial Building. Tabitha Johnston

“It’s great experience for them to get out here in the community,” said Key Club advisor Shane Thomas, who is also a new social studies teacher at Jefferson High School. “It really shows great initiative, for the kids to come here on their weekend off from school. It was not required, for Key Club members to help with this event! We have some great kids in our club.”