Wake Up Tri-Counties Amron and Ken Talk Good Fellows 2025 Christmas Baskets Nominations and Donations

Kewanee Good Fellows President Amron Buchanan and Vice President Ken Knowles joined Wake Up Tri-Counties to talk about Good Fellows Christmas Baskets. The deadline to nominate someone for a food basket or get your name on the list for a basket is December 12, 2025. Call Kewanee High School at 309-853-3328, option 2, to get yourself or someone you know on the list for a Christmas food basket. You will need to provide a name, address, phone number, and number of people in the family when you call Kewanee High School. The baskets will be delivered on December 19th. The cutoff date allows them time to set up the boxes and fill them with food. If you miss the December 12th cutoff, call Kewanee High School as soon as possible to be added to the list. Ken said they "have never not had somebody get a basket," but the food options in the basket may be limited. They are planning for 860 baskets, but will ask Save-A-Lot to plan for 860 to 900 baskets. Amron and Ken said that Sav-A-Lot always works with them to make sure they get all the food they need.

Thanks to organizations like Kiwanis and student clubs, Amron and Ken said they have enough volunteers but need donations to pay for the food. They thank the adults who drive the students around to deliver the baskets and all the students who help organize the food boxes and fill them. The food bill was $34,574 last year for 860 baskets. Baskets are small, medium, and large in size, depending on the number of people in the family. They don't have an anticipated total for the food bill this year but estimate around $34,000 for 860 baskets.

100% of your donation is spent in Kewanee and delivered to Kewanee and Neponset residents. The Gordon Vickrey Memorial Food Drive is in full swing and is underway now through December 17th. Students and families are encouraged to donate non-perishable food items at the Kewanee, Wethersfield, and Visitation School Districts. As an added incentive, the classroom in each school that collects the highest number of items will win a pizza party. The initiative, organized by the Key Club, aims to support local families through the Good Fellows Christmas Baskets for people in need during the holiday season. Community members can contribute by dropping off items at any district school building, helping to make a difference and honor Gordon Vickrey’s legacy of giving.

You can still donate through PayPal, Venmo, or mail a donation to Good Fellows Christmas Baskets Club, PO Box 5, Kewanee, IL 61443.