By Beacon Staff
Feeding thousands of people over a few hours is a massive undertaking.
Over the past 34 years, members of the Burlington Kiwanis Club have become experts at it.
The 34th annual Burlington Kiwanis Pancake Day fundraiser will run like a well-oiled machine from 6:30 to 10:30 a.m. May 27 at the Port of Burlington. If flooding makes the port unusable, the breakfast will be held at the Burlington High School cafeteria.
So far, the massive event has never had to change venues due to flooding. The annual breakfast always serves as the kickoff for the Snake Alley Criterium cycling event, which takes place the same day.
Pancake breakfast chairman George Rinker said it would not be possible without the volunteers — and the food, of course.
Rinker said it also takes 750 pounds of pancake mix, 1,500 pounds of whole-hog sausage, and more than 3,000 units of milk, chocolate milk, and orange juice. The pancakes and sausage are prepared on several grills, divided between the sausage and the pancakes.
The event is the biggest fundraiser of the year for the Burlington Kiwanis Club, and the money goes back into the community. The Kiwanis Club provides youth activities, boots, and coats for children from low-income families. It also donates to literacy efforts locally.
“This is for the kids,” Rinker said while cooking pancakes at a previous breakfast. “We support over 23 local youth programs. The biggest one we contribute to is the after-school program. We’ve given a lot of money to it, and we’ve seen the fruits of our labor. Kids are getting hot meals and a good education.”
Pre-purchase your tickets for $10 from any Kiwanis member at Hy-Vee or Fareway in Burlington. Tickets will be $12 at the door, and kids 8 and under eat for free.
Sponsors of the event will be getting more exposure through several advertising banners this year.
Interested sponsors should call Dennis Wilson at 319-753-6929.
“It’s our largest fundraiser, and the funds that we raise are all used to support community families,” Rinker said. “We are not sending money hundreds of miles away. Everything we get is spent locally, to improve children’s lives.” in our community.”