While there are still Thanksgiving plans being made, the Pekin Lions Club hopes to get residents thinking a little early about Christmas. The project provides food vouchers to ValuCheck for needy families to use during the Christmas season.

The Christmas Project is one way we can help the Pekin Community.

In order to receive a food voucher, families must be nominated. Anyone can nominate a needy family by using the club’s nomination form. Nomination forms are available at the Pekin Public Library and the Hope Chest. The forms may also be found on Facebook under the Pekin Lions Club page. Nominations are accepted for Christmas vouchers from November 1 through December. Voucher distribution is on Saturday, December 20, 2025, at 8 a.m. at the Pekin High School Holman Center.

To help fund the Christmas Voucher Program, the club is having a Soup Sampler Supper on November 18, 2025 from 5-6:30 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church at 700 S. Fourth Street.

Come and sample as many different soups as you like. You will be pleasantly pleased to sample the Lions cooking. The soups are made fresh at the location on the day of the event. Drinks and desserts are also included.

The cost of the event is a donation with proceeds going to the Christmas Voucher project. 

To be successful with the Christmas Voucher program, the Pekin Lions need the community to donate to it. Please send donations to: Pekin Lions Club, Box 751, Pekin, IL 61555. Donors and the amount will be published in the Pekin Voice, Feb. 2026 issue.