BENTONVILLE — Early Thursday, Guy Wilkerson was surrounded by hundreds of boxes filled with food that may provide a meal for a family on Christmas Day.
Wilkerson has spearheaded the Kiwanis Club of Bentonville’s Christmas food box giveaway for 55 years.
That first year, the club provided about 24 baskets to needy families. On Thursday, the club gave away 600 boxes in an assembly line at the Bentonville National Guard Armory.
Lee Schmidt, the president of the club, estimated at least 10,000 pounds of food was given away Thursday.
Kiwanis member Chuck Davis has been on hand for the food giveaways since the beginning.
Davis said club members use to go to the White River, before Beaver Lake was made, to cut Christmas trees and sell them on the Bentonville Square to raise money to purchase the food.
“We feel humble and we are glad to do it,” Davis said. “We feel it is worth it to see the glow on the people faces after they receive the food.”
Thursday’s boxes included chicken, bread, potatoes and various canned items. The nonperishable items were collected in Bentonville schools, while the other items came through donations from businesses and community members, Wilkerson said.
“It will enable families to have a complete meal,” Wilkerson said.
Ella Wright said she comes to the Kiwanis’ food giveaway each year. “I appreciate it,” she said. “Everything helps out.”
Albert Dill picked up five boxes for friends Dill knows needs the assistance.
“I’m trying to help people out that need help,” Dill said. “There are people out there that are worse off than me, so I’m trying to do my part.”
Members of Boy Scout Troop 52 assisted Kiwanis members at the food giveaway.
“There’s a lot of families in need especially at this time of year,” Kiwanis member Renee Devenish said. “The Kiwanis believe in giving back to the community. We are trying make it better.”