By Staff
Kim West
One day I will persuade my former fitness center boss to buy a ticket to Pancake Day, an annual fundraiser for Kiwanis that funds community projects and scholarships.
I've asked her for the past three years, and each year she declines on the principle that buttermilk pancakes drizzled with butter and hot syrup with a generous helping of sausage aren't part of a healthy diet. Even though she has very little body fat and is an avid fan of Lean Cuisine lunches, I also know she loves Krystal's burgers, which gives me hope that one day I'll see her in line for some homemade Kiwanis pancakes.
Most people love to eat pancakes, which in my opinion hold their own against other comfort foods such as hamburgers and pizza. They're cheap to make, and you can be creative by adding chocolate chips to the batter or topping them with fruit.
When I worked as a resident assistant, I was required to sponsor several programs for approximately 24 residents on a shoestring budget. One of the most popular programs was a Saturday pancake breakfast, and all I had to do was make a quick run to the local grocery store and borrow a fellow RA's griddle cooker. Once I started cooking, the aroma of bacon and hot pancakes would magically bring pajama-clad residents out of their rooms.
I didn't eat many pancakes growing up but I've made up for that in the past few years. I went to my first Pancake Day five years ago as a Circle K volunteer for the Tuscaloosa Kiwanis Club, and I've become hooked on an event that combines community spirit and service with delicious food.
Florence Kiwanis always holds its Pancake Day in early March, and I think the club greatly benefited from the icy weather that hit the Shoals area. This year's event was packed, and I'm certain the club reached its $50,000 goal. I was especially encouraged by how many people were willing to stand without complaint in a line that stretched out the door for nearly three hours.
Today will be my first Pancake Day with the Russellville Kiwanians, and I'm looking forward to it, even if it means a pre-dawn wake-up call. If you have a craving for some fresh pancakes, please drop by First Baptist Church this morning.