The Kiwanis Club of Vicksburg was doing its best to ease those suffering through this week’s cold snap Friday morning at the Junius Ward Johnson Memorial YMCA, where this year’s chili fundraiser delivered warm plates to those taking part.

Kiwanis member Tom Osburn said the annual fundraiser helps the club afford its efforts in the community throughout the year, including helping fund Key Clubs for high school students at Vicksburg High School, River City Early College, Porter’s Chapel Academy, and Vicksburg Catholic School.

Friday’s fundraiser passed out plates for $10 each from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. and again from 4 until 6 p.m.

“We’ve already done more this morning than we did all day last year,” Osburn said Friday at noon. “This will go a long way for us.”

Kiwanis Club of Vicksburg’s community efforts include, but are not limited to, awarding scholarships to high school students. Osburn said the club typically awards a minimum of $5,000, but hasn’t given less than $7,500 in recent years.