BRADENTON -- The needy were among the primary beneficiaries of gifts authorized by the Bradenton Rotary Club Foundation on Tuesday.

More than $37,000 will be distributed, according to Daniel Chappie, the foundation's board president.

"Our foundation has been doing well and as it grows we're able to do more and more for the community," he said.

Among the recipients:

n $8,000 to the Rotarians Against Hunger program.

n $6,000 for scholarships for high school students at Bayshore, Manatee and Southeast.

n $3,500 to the Salvation Army.

Financial gifts will also go to the Boys and Girls Clubs of Manatee County and F.E.L.T. (Feeding Empty Little Tummies) among other charitable causes.

"Each year the Bradenton

Rotary Club supports projects at home and abroad in the Rotary spirit of 'Service Above Self,'" Chappie said. "We thank our supporting members and the community for their contributions. Together we make a difference."

Funds will also be used to provide dictionaries for all local third-graders, an ongoing project where students get to keep the dictionaries.

"One of the fun things is coordinating with the principals, going to classrooms and giving them out," Chappie said. "You wouldn't think a dictionary would be that entertaining and kids would want to have, but they're so excited to get one."

The Bradenton Rotary Club also will fund sending students each year to the statewide Seminar for Tomorrow's Leaders.

Founded in 1926, the Rotary has 30 members. There are more than 1.2 million Rotarians worldwide.

"It's a dedicated group with some members going back 30-40 years," Chappie said. "We're always interested in more members."

Visit www.bradentonrotary.org for more details.

Vin Mannix, local columnist, can be reached at 941-745-7055. Twitter: @vinmannix