How to go:
What: Day of Caring pancake brunches
Where: More than 50 area locations
When: Feb. 26 (times vary)
Cost: $6 adult; $4 child/seniors 60+ (limited number free at each
site); House of Bread —
all free
More info: (937) 320-1687; www.dayofcaring.us
Participating area churches:
Beavercreek
Natural Path Meditation Center
Nazarene Church
Senior Center
Peace Lutheran Church
Centerville
Fairhaven Church
Dayton
Germantown St. Masonic Temple
Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church
Belmont United Methodist Church
Our Lady of Mercy Church
Dayton Emergency Housing Coalition
Epiphany Lutheran Church
Far Hills Masonic Center
Grace United Methodist Church
Holy Trinity Catholic Church
House of Bread
Lutheran Church of Our Savior
Mad River Lions/Comm. United Methodist
Miami Valley School
New Zion Baptist Church
North Riverdale Lutheran Church
Oak Creek United Church of Christ
Omega Baptist Church
Polk Grove United Church of Christ
Queen of Apostles Church
Shiloh Church
St. Adalbert Catholic Church
St. Paul’s Lutheran Church
St. Paul United Methodist Church
Stillwater United Methodist Church
Turner Road Church of Christ
Zion Lutheran Church
Eaton
United Church of Christ
Fairborn
Abiding Christ Lutheran Church
Community Center
Germantown
United Methodist Church
Kettering
Alter High School
Apex Church
Christ United Methodist Church
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church
Lewisburg
United Methodist Church
Oakwood
Concordia Lutheran Church
Reynoldsburg
Alliance Church
Troy
First United Church of Christ
Vandalia
Stillwater United Methodist Church
Xenia
Adult Recreation & Services Center
It’s been a 22-year harvest. The wheat turns into flour; the flour becomes batter for pancakes. That flapjack batter is lovingly poured by hundreds of volunteers for the annual Day of Caring Brunch.
Always scheduled for the last Sunday in February, these brunches are held simultaneously in many communities in the Dayton area and beyond.
Since 1991, the Day of Caring has emphasized three goals: raise money for the emergency shelter system and the hunger coalition member agencies, raise public consciousness about the needs of the hungry and the homeless, and encourage volunteerism through continuous education and involvement.
Janaki Venkayya, owner of Globetech Exchange in Beavercreek, started the program as a way of honoring her generous mother.
“My mother did anything and everything to help. It wasn’t just food, clothing and shelter; if people were hurting she was there to help,” said Venkayya, who emigrated from India to America in 1966 after her marriage.
What originally began with volunteers in 12 Dayton-area churches has spread to 45 Dayton-area churches and civic organizations. In addition, there are nine locations in Cincinnati and two in Richmond, Ind. That first year, approximately 3,000 meals were served, and the Montgomery County Hunger and Housing Coalitions received $8,000.
Honorary co-chairs for this year’s event are Debbie Lieberman and Balinda Ferrara. Hans Marlette, Day of Caring administrator, said that last year 996 volunteers served 7,300 meals and raised a total of $40,809.
“We really appreciate all the volunteers that help us out, and we’re looking for another banner year for the Day of Caring,” said Marlette, a third-year administrator and fifth-year volunteer.
One family has a second-generation volunteer. Steven Pax and Dan Saxer were two of the original organizers who assisted Venkayya that first year. Saxer is a central committee member, and Pax has been a trustee every year. Pax’s son, Greg, was a tiny newborn when the first Day of Caring brunches were served. It wasn’t long before he got involved.
“I remember being 8 years old and bussing tables and talking to people,” said Greg Pax, an Ohio University student majoring in sociology/criminology. “Our dad was one of the co-founders, so we knew what it was all about. At Polk Grove, I control the pancakes and dad controls the auction.”
Traditionally, the sites offer pancakes, sausage, juice and coffee. The Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church on Belmont Park North sells Honey Puffs. Peace Lutheran Church in Beavercreek will have Indian food; Natural Path Meditation Center in Beavercreek will serve vegetarian fare. Miami Valley School will offer Middle Eastern food provided by the Dayton Arab-American Forum.
Those who can’t support Day of Caring through volunteering or attending a brunch, may want to donate through the website. Just click on “Donate Now” at www.dayofcaring.us. Or you can donate by phone at (937) 320-1687, or by mailing a downloaded form with your check to: Day of Caring, Box 341453, Dayton, OH 45432.
Venkayya said, “It’s become a tradition. But unlike Thanksgiving where you give thanks for your good fortune, during Day of Caring we can share our good fortune.”
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