Kristi Dame gave an update on the second session of the Good Citizen Camp.
San Marcos Kiwanis Club
San Marcos Kiwanis Club Newsletter, Aug. 13, 2026
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
1. Bylaw addendum and addition update: There has been a delay in getting the addendum and addition filed with Kiwanis International, due to a lack of instructions on how to submit it, at this time. Jennifer Richmond has tried reaching out to Kiwanis International but has not received instructions on how to file these items. She will keep the club posted on her progress, so members will know when they can vote on these bylaw changes and addition.
2. Welcome Back San Marcos Academy Students: Rick Pickering, Willie Garza, Penny Slavik, Kristi Dame, and Jennifer Richmond showed up with bubbles, signage, and plastic clapping hands, to welcome the students at the San Marcos Academy, as they returned to begin the 2026-2027 school year. They were joined by the Lion's Club, the Rotary Club, and Muzzy's real estate. It was lots of fun!
3. Installation Banquet: Rick Pickedring has created a Sign-Up Genius invitation, to the Installation Banquet. The last newsletter contained info on how to access the sign-up location. Cost is $25.00 per person, and can be taken care of, online, as well. If you are unable to sign up, but want to attend, please contact Jennifer. It is important to have an exact count, with money paid, 2 weeks prior to the banquet, so food can be ordered.
4. San Marcos Business Expo: This Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2026, at Embassy Suites, from 10:00-2:00, our San Marcos Kiwanis Club will start our kickoff for the Disaster Backpacks! Come visit our booth and help us promote our new service project. Admission to the event is 5 cans of food, for the Food Bank, or $5.00. Hope to see all San Marcos Kiwanis Club members there!
5. School Supply Donations: Penny Slavik, Rick Pickering, Cheryl Petre, Luanne Johns, and Jennifer Richmond met at the "Stuff the Bus" location and were able to drop off almost $700 worth of school supplies! We were informed that our donations were going to be on a 2nd bus, due to the success of this program! Many thanks to all who donated funds or supplies!
6. Good Citizen Camp Update: The Good Citizen Camp finished their 2nd session, on Friday, and Kristi Dame was pleased to announce that this session was their most successful one so far. Kristi showed a poster that had comments written by the campers, and it was evident that each camper benefitted from their experiences. Kristi shared that during the week, they worked on social skills, situational awareness, problem solving techniques, and friendship skills. Campers that attended the Monday session were CPR certified. Also, Kristi stated that the camp received over $700. donations, and all meals were covered. Thank you, Kristi Dame and Emily Sousa, for all your hard work.
PROGRAM
Hays County Food Bank with Jack Luthy
Jack Luthy presented a program on the Hays County Food Bank.
Food insecurity is a real problem all over the world, and San Marcos, Texas is fortunate to have a food bank to help them through tough times. Hays County Food Bank has recently moved into a larger facility, previously owned by Black's BBQ, and are now able to provide a market distribution, once a month, for clients to receive up to 80 lbs. of food. The food bank continues to distribute fresh, perishable foods, at various locations, throughout the week, as well.
Using statistics taken from 2024, Jack shared that the rate of food insecurity, in San Marcos is 17.8 % overall, with 20.3% of that being children. The numbers increase as prices go up, bills go up, and jobs get harder to find.
The mission of the Hays County Food Bank is to be committed to improve the lives of people through food assistance programs and advocacy. It is their goal to create a well-nourished community. Sadly, even though the assistance is available, not all food insecure people take advantage of all the food bank makes available. Whether it is due to personal reluctance to accepting assistance, the inability to get to the locations where food is passed out, dietary factors, housing factors, etc. maybe some of the reasons that Hays County has food insecurity, but the Hays County Food Bank tries their best to feed anyone that seeks food.
Jack shared that in 2026, 1,842,854 lbs. of food was distributed, and 241,461 people received food assistance. He continued to share that in 2025; 73,037 households were served. Jack finished his presentation by promoting the need for volunteers.
Thank you, Jack, for a great program.
The
Hays County Food Bank
UPCOMING PROGRAMS:
Aug. 20, 2026: Eras of Music with Harley Slavik
Aug. 27, 2026: What is the Garden Club? How do they help in the community? with Mary Alice DeBow
Sept. 3, 2026: All about the Alaskan Cruise with Cheryl Petre
UPCOMING EVENTS:
Aug. 19, 2026: Chamber of Commerce Business Expo, 10-2pm
Aug. 19, 2026: Board meeting, CASA, 5:00-6:30pm
Sept. 18, 2026: Kiwanis Installation Banquet at San Marcos Activity Center, 6:00 pm-8:00pm. Remember to go to Signup Genius.
BIRTHDAYS AND ANNIVERSARIES:
Aug. 18, 2026: Lon and Phyllis Shell's wedding anniversary
Aug. 21, 2026: Glen Rydl's birthday
Aug. 21, 2026: Alex Edwards' birthday
Aug. 25, 2026: Vanessa Westbrook's birthday
REMINDER:
Like and share any social media that mentions the Kiwanis Club. Bring a friend to our next meeting.
HUMOR AND MUSING:
Here’s a mix of surprising and quirky food facts and questions to spark your curiosity:
1. First food grown in space – Spring onions
2. Fruit once classified as a vegetable – The tomato, after an 1893 U.S. Supreme Court ruling
3. Most popular ice cream flavor worldwide – Vanilla
6. Most widely consumed meat – Beef
7. Number on a Heinz ketchup bottle – 57
8. U.S. state producing the most pistachios – California
9. Insect in McDonald’s Happy Meal toy – Harry Burnett Reese (inventor of Reese’s cups)
10. Taste of cilantro for some people – Soap
What’s the best thing to put into a pie? Your teeth!
