Rotary works to ‘Feed the Community’
By Lori Ruhlman
Skaneateles Rotary Club
When the pandemic made it impossible for the Skaneateles Rotary Club to hold its annual Father’s Day Pancake Breakfast, its members adopted a new mantra: “We can’t serve pancakes, but we CAN feed the community.”
Club members asked residents to help fill local food pantries and Skaneateles Outreach with food, supplies and money. Now they are applauding the results and thanking the community.
After collecting 4,000 pounds of food in May, the club launched a “Feed the Community” drive and raised $18,225 in June.
“It is heartwarming how this wonderful community came together to support Rotary in its effort to help those who are struggling,” said Rotarian Lee Bennett, one of the organizers.
Rotarians look forward to the pancake breakfast all year long and missed seeing and serving the 3,000 or more friends and neighbors who usually attend.
But the virtual breakfast brought out the best of the spirit of Skaneateles, said Rotarian Mary Giroux, who was president during the fundraiser (and just passed the torch to Rotarian David Lee).
The response was swift and generous with $18,225 in contributions from nearly 180 donors.
In addition, $2,500 was raised from major donors to help buy Skaneatles Area Chamber of Commerce gift certificates to hand out to randomly selected donors to spend here, which in turn will benefit the local merchants who also have been hit hard by the pandemic.
It was a win-win for both the community and the merchants, said Rotarian Tyler Lorey.
Club members praised the efforts of Lorey, who pulled the virtual fundraiser together on a site called Rallyup.
“It allowed us to have broad outreach without having to exchange money or tickets by hand,” Lorey said.
Proceeds from the annual breakfast have helped the Rotary Club support community groups, organizations and projects all year long for over 50 years.
The need was greater than ever this year, with a big jump in demand at the food pantries and outreach office, and so that is where the club chose to channel the money, said Bennett.
The goal on Rallyup was set at $10,000, but the committee secretly hoped to raise as much as or more than the club might raise at an annual breakfast.
“It was thrilling to pass that goal,” Bennett said.
Donors have repeatedly thanked the club for organizing both the food drive and the on-line fundraiser.
Submitted photo
The Skaneateles Rotary was not able to hold its annual pancake breakfast this year, but the club decided to still focus its efforts and helping and supporting the local community.
