Dayton church’s 90th annual event for charity breaks records

Christ Episcopal Church’s Women of the Parochial Society, one of eight women’s groups at the church at the time, launched Waffle Shop in 1929. The holiday fundraiser has grown over the years.

Credit: Christ Episcopal Church "The History of Waffle Shop."

Credit: Christ Episcopal Church "The History of Waffle Shop."

Christ Episcopal Church’s Women of the Parochial Society, one of eight women’s groups at the church at the time, launched Waffle Shop in 1929. The holiday fundraiser has grown over the years.
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By Amelia Robinson
Updated Jan 6, 2020
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One of Dayton’s sweetest holiday traditions set a fund-raising record for the event’s 90th anniversary.

Emily Joyce says the Christ Episcopal Church’s 2019 Waffle Shop raised more than $27,000.

>> Waffle Shop turns the big 9.0.

That’s a far cry from the $209.40 raised during the first Waffle Shop in 1929 and the $22,000 raised in 2018.

Christ Episcopal Church’s Women of the Parochial Society, one of eight women’s groups at the church at the time, launched Waffle Shop in 1929. The holiday fundraiser has grown over the years.

Credit: Christ Episcopal Church "The History of Waffle Shop."

icon to expand image

Credit: Christ Episcopal Church "The History of Waffle Shop."

“It being the 90th year got people really nostalgic,” Joyce, the parish administrator, said. “I think people were eating more. They were shopping more. That really helped us bump up our total.”

>> Where to find the best waffles in Dayton

About 2,000 showed up to the waffle, sausage and baked goods fueled event held Nov. 19-22.

Christ Episcopal Church, located at 20 W. First St. in downtown Dayton and home of The Waffle Shop fundraiser which celebrated its 90th anniversary, was built in 1871 and is currently decorated for the Christmas season. TOM GILLIAM / CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER

Credit: Tom Gilliam

icon to expand image

Credit: Tom Gilliam

The increase in dinners and shoppers means that the church will be able to give out more in community scholarships, Joyce said.

After expenses, she said the church will distribute $20,000 to Dayton area non-profits.

In 2019, the church distributed $17,877 in grants from Waffle Shop to local organizations involved in feeding, clothing and providing essential services to people in need within the Miami Valley.

1929 to 2019: Photos of Waffle Shop as it turns 90

 

Joyce said the church was grateful for the community’s support.

“That money goes out to support really good work in our community,” she said.

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Community Impact Editor Amelia Robinson is an award-winning columnist, features writer and podcast host. The Ohio University graduates work has appeared in the Dayton Daily News since 2000.