Community Service

The Kiwanis vision is “Kiwanis will be a positive influence in communities worldwide — so that one day, all children will wake up in communities that believe in them, nurture them and provide the support they need to thrive.”

The following Florence Kiwanis Club involvement in these projects, categorized as “Community Service,” helps support that vision.

* Free Community Thanksgiving Dinner: Slide Show – click here

The free Community Thanksgiving Dinner was started in the 90’s by a few local churches.  The mission was to provide a complete Thanksgiving Dinner to those that might otherwise eat alone or simply not have a Thanksgiving meal. Joining local community members together for fellowship and a wonderful meal.  Shortly after, the leadership was transferred to the ministerial association and the dinner continued to grow and outgrow local churches. Around 2008 the Kiwanis Club of Florence took on the program and a few years later a partnership with the Florence Elks who provided the large facility to meet the demand of the attendees.  The free Dinner has served as many as 750 over the years.  Through the pandemic we adjusted and provided the meal on Thanksgiving day with a drive thru, pick up your complete dinner,  packaged for easy heat up.  2023 the Community Dinner was back to a dine-in meal, with pre-arranged to-go dinners to senior facilities.  Plans are already in the making for 2024 and some changes to better fit the needs of the community. 

*Siuslaw Elementary School Music Program

*Soroptimist Christmas Basket giveaway