Warm up with a little Kiwanis chili

Tribune file photo Pioneer Kiwanis members Dona Bauer, Marlene Braker and Gina Holt man the annual Chili Feed in 2012. This year's event is from 11 a.m. to 6:30 -.m. Thursday at the Scottish Rite building, 110 S. Main St.

The Pioneer Kiwanis Club members has the answer to warding off those colder temperatures that have arrived in Bourbon County -- indulge in some homemade chili.

The annual Pioneer Kiwanis Chili Feed will be from 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Scottish Rite Temple located at 110 S. Main St.

The menu will include chili, homemade pies, cakes, cupcakes and cinnamon rolls for $5. Children age 5 and under may eat for free.

"We appreciate everyone who attends or has purchased tickets," Dona Bauer, one of the organizers for the event, said. "The goal is to have the chili and desserts sold out and everyone have had their opportunity to dine with us."

Along with providing a good meal and a social opportunity for residents in the community, the chili feed allows Kiwanis members to provide for the community in other ways.

"This is our annual chili feed fundraiser for Kiwanis Pioneers," Bauer said. "All funds from this event are kept right here in Bourbon County. Locally, Kiwanis helps with many organizations that affect our children and community."

One of the newest projects the Kiwanis members has undertaken this year is a backpack program to assist children who may need foster care. Often children are removed from the home with little time to prepare. Items the Kiwanians have been collecting range from toys and activities to keep them busy while waiting to be transported to their foster home, to personal hygiene items.

Other agencies the Pioneer Kiwanis are assisting include The Beacon, Red Cross, united Way, Mother to Mother, Healthy Start, Big Brother-Big Sister, CASA, elementary and middle schools, Relay for Life and the Kiwanis Key Club.

"There are other donations that help with international projects and right now we are assisting with the Eliminate project in third world counties," Bauer said.

Donations will also be accepted at the feed for an international Kiwanis project to provide immunizations against neonatal tetanus, which newborns may contact. Infants with neonatal tetanus develop lock jaw, are unable to nurse and soon their entire bodies becomes stiff.

"Visitors attending the chili feed will have an opportunity to learn about this and make donations, if interested," Bauer said.