Nearly 30 pancake breakfasts taking over Dayton today for a good cause

Credit: Polk Grove United Church of Christ Facebook

Credit: Polk Grove United Church of Christ Facebook

If you pay close attention Sunday morning, you might notice the air is a little sweeter — perhaps even a little fluffier.

Nearly 30 charitable pancake breakfasts are happening in the Dayton area today.

>> 9 of the best places for brunch in Dayton

The 30th annual Day of Caring Pancake Breakfast on Sunday, Feb. 23, is a part of the grassroots organization established in 1991, "made up of volunteers committed to increasing personal awareness and involvement toward confronting the ever-increasing national plight of hunger and homelessness," according to the organization's website.

The main purpose of Day of Caring 365 is to bring individuals together to raise money for local nonprofit agencies that serve the needs of the hungry and homeless. In addition, it provides volunteers and donors an opportunity to give back to their local community.

“When people come together to help one another, there is a sense of community and purpose that evolves,” Founder and Executive Director Jan Venkayya said in a news release.

>> Meet Jan Venkayya, the woman behind one of Dayton’s biggest charity events

Day of Caring, established in 1991, continues to increase the reach of its program by securing new brunch sites, adding free brunch sites for the hungry, and increasing the number of volunteers and donors that contribute their time and resources. Since its inception, Day of Caring has donated over $830,000. Day of Caring is a volunteer, non-profit program accredited by the Better Business Bureau that continues in its efforts to fight hunger and homelessness.

“Each year, 500 volunteers get together to serve over 7,000 meals,” Day of Caring 365 Trustee Steve Pax said in a news release. “Those who are homeless or hungry find a generous support from our community during Thanksgiving and Christmas, however The Day of Caring Pancake Brunch takes the last Sunday in February to remind the needy that we don’t forget about them. We show that we care 365 days a year.”

A dozen sites in the Dayton area served brunch at the very first Day of Caring and raised $8,000 for the Montgomery County Hunger and Housing Coalitions. Fast forward to 2012: over 1,000 volunteers dedicated their time to raise over $44,000.

Credit: Submitted

Credit: Submitted

Fast forward to today, Day of Caring takes places at locations in the Dayton and Cincinnati areas.

Tickets are $6 for adults and $4 for seniors (over 60) and children (under 12). The tickets can be purchased through the individual brunch sites, or at the door.  The brunch features a generous serving of Bob Evans pancakes and sausage, coffee and juice.

In addition to the pancake brunch, The Day of Caring 365 has established Roberta’s Pantry. This pantry provides personal hygiene items such as shampoo, toothbrushes, toothpaste, combs, deodorant and soap that cannot be bought with food stamps. The scope of this mission has expanded. The Day of Caring 365 provides support for 100 pantries and food banks throughout 25 counties. A collection box for donated personal hygiene items will be at each pancake site.

Dayton.com and Dayton Daily News reporter Amelia Robinson and local personality Jim Bucher are honorary chairs for this year's event.

PARTICIPATING LOCATIONS

Visit www.dayofcaring.us for more information and a complete list of participating locations. For additional information, please call the Day of Caring office at (937) 708-8011, or.

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