Shrove Tuesday breakfast leads to ongoing event at The Hub

Volunteers at the Salvation Army were busy flipping pancakes for a free pancake breakfast last Tuesday. The event was such as success it will be offered weekly. Left to right are: volunteer Carol Wiebe, co-op student Claudia Bednar, and volunteer Sally Ann Leckie. (Jeff Helsdon Photo)

Jeff Helsdon, Editor

What started as Shrove Tuesday breakfast will turn into a regular event for the Salvation Army’s Hub.

Planned to coincide with what many term “Pancake Tuesday”, the event is part of a tradition in the Christian church to endulge before fasting begins for Lent on Ash Wednesday. The Salvation Army decided to hold a free pancake breakfast for the occasion.

“It’s open to anyone who’s struggling in today’s world where groceries are so expensive,” said Major Denise Walker of Salvation Army in Tillsonburg.

An excess of donations of pancake batter donated at Christmas also added to the decision.

“This is a way to use it and let people enjoy it,” she said.

The turnout reached the point that all of the chairs in the Hub were full and more had to be brought in.

“They’ve had such a good response, they want to do it every Tuesday,” Walker said.

The event was promoted by volunteers going into the community on Friday and handing out bags of treats and promotional posters for the event.

Weekly free pancake breakfasts started this week, and it’s hoped that word will spread.

While the Salvation Army volunteers are using up the pancake batter they received at Christmas, more may be needed as this becomes a weekly function.

“One of the joys of the Salvation Army is people are so generous to us, we can be generous to others,” Walker said.

The Hub is located at 110 Concession St. W. in the Salvation Army church.