WILMINGTON — While the pandemic has put a limiting factor on the local Kiwanis Club, they have continued with their Literacy Project serving children that visit the Faith Lutheran Church Food Pantry.

On the first and third Wednesday, a Kiwanis member has been at the church passing out free books to children under 14. This project started in 2017 and has continued through 2020.

Children and their families are appreciative of the books, especially during the time when schools and libraries were closed. Many children were home and bored.

As Christmas approached, the club decided that in addition to the books, small gift bags with coloring books and crayons, along with toothbrushes and toothpaste, would be given to children visiting the food pantry. Dr. Brooke Hamilton, with Wilmington Dental Arts, which is a corporate member of the local Kiwanis Club, donated the dental items.

The Kiwanis Club continues to meet through Zoom and is looking forward to meeting again in person, in the spring. For more information about this club that serves the children of Clinton County and beyond, contact Ron Johnson, treasurer at 937-289-7226.