The Kiwanis Club of Allentown was chartered on May 14, 1918 with one hundred members. It is one of the oldest Kiwanis clubs in Pennsylvania. One of the club’s first service projects was the establishment of a shelter for children from homes with Spanish Influenza. Annual dues at the time were $20. By 1921, the club grew to 118 members.

Weekly club meetings alternated between the Hotel Allen, and the Americus Hotel. In 1929, our membership grew to 132 men. During this time period, we provided membership for 50 underprivileged boys to the YMCA, and 50 girls to the YWCA. We also sponsored a Boy Scout troop downtown. Membership swelled to over 200 in the 50’s. Our club meetings eventually moved to the Hilton Hotel at 9th and Hamilton Streets, which became the Crowne Plaza Hotel in 2004. We then met at the Hamilton Family Restaurant for several years. We now meet for lunch or dinner the second Thursday of each month at the Shanty on 19th restaurant in Allentown.