First big fundraiser of the year returns to its traditional format at the Zion Lutheran School Pancake and Sausage Breakfast

[February 07, 2023]    On Saturday morning, a long-standing February tradition returned to Lincoln in its best format. The Zion Lutheran School Pancake and Sausage Breakfast returned to a dine-in event after two years with a modified version due to Coronavirus.

In 2021, the breakfast was deleted and a meat sale with drive thru pick up was all that was available. In 2022, the breakfast was modified again to a carry out only. The best part of that year, was that guests came inside to receive their meals. When there, covid restrictions were observed with folks coming in one direction and exiting another. As an added attraction, while making their way out of the schools gymnasium, visitors had the opportunity to view tables set up by the school with displays speaking to the many programs the students are able to be part of in the classroom.

This year, the tables in the gym were for guests to sit down and eat. Many came in family groups with multiple generations gathering together for quality family time together.

While everyone was there for the wonderful meal, an added benefit for some was an opportunity to connect with the community. Spotting friends they hadn’t seen in a while, sitting together for a meal, and being part of an important fundraiser for the school served to add to the joy of the morning.

For those who were looking for bargains after breakfast, the school had a vast collection of silent auction items. According to ZLS volunteers the total retail value of all the silent auction offers exceeded $18,000.

There was also a bake sale going on with items going fast as folks left the breakfast with the thought of something to snack on later in the day.

Because there was such a large turnout early in the day, guests were directed to take a left in the entry way and follow a twisting path that took them down the hallways of some of the ZLS classrooms. It was a good plan as the hallways were filled with hungry guests waiting their turn inside the gym, but no one had to stand outside in the wind and cold in order to get their meal.

In addition, the hallways were lined with art projects put together by the students who occupy those classrooms during the week.

Among the guests waiting in line was four-year-old Owen who is a pre-k student in Ms. Sielaff’s class. He was thrilled to be able to point out some of his handy work while smiling for the camera.

As the line progressed toward the gym, the ticket takers were excited by how busy they were, and comments were made by other volunteers that the crowds were so large the two extra large pancake griddles were falling a bit behind in production. None of the guests seemed to care because they knew that the pancakes would be hot and good, and the sausage would be perfectly cooked.

It is often said that the ZLS breakfast is the first big event of the year, and a day when Logan County citizens comes out of winter hibernation. If that is the case, then there were hundreds of people who “woke up” on Saturday morning ready to get out and about and welcome the new year with the return of an old tradition.

[Nila Smith]