The Taylorville Kiwanis Club heard from the director of “Operation Loaded Book Bag” at their Tuesday meeting at the Moose Lodge.

Suzy Traughber started the local effort to provide school supplies to needy kids in the area, as a result of her daughter’s Girl Scout project in 2011.   

She told Kiwanis members that each student is allowed to pick out their own book bag, which is valued up to 200-dollars.  Local businesses allow Traughber to set up collection boxes to gather book bags and school supplies that are then organized and provided needy students.

“Operation Loaded Book Bag” has been a recipient of a Taylorville Kiwanis Club Grant the past 2 years to buy book bags and school supplies, as the effort aligns with the club’s focus on children and youth in the community.

Kiwanis members will hold their first fund-raiser of the year, the annual Pancake and Sausage Breakfast, this Saturday from 6:30 til 11am at the Taylorville Moose Lodge.   Tickets are available from Kiwanis members or at the door.   Proceeds benefit local Kiwanis projects for children and youth.

The Taylorville Kiwanis Club is part of a global organization of volunteers dedicated to improving the world one child and one community at a time.  Weekly meetings are held Tuesdays at noon at the Taylorville Moose Lodge.  For information on the club, go to taylorvillekiwanis.com.