The first step to holding any fundraising event is to create a committee. If you do not already have a fundraising committee you might consider getting one organized and streamlining all fundraising activities through the work of this one committee. The committee should create a proposal to present to the school administrators and inquire about any rules regarding cooking and selling food on the campus. All paperwork should be worked out before the fundraiser date can be set.
Once all of the paperwork is taken care of, at least one chair person of the fundraiser will need to solicit donations from the school community and nearby businesses. Make a list of the items needed, and have this list included in the school newsletter, on the school website, and if necessary, individual fliers. Allow time for donations to trickle in. I suggest allowing at least one month to get the entire fundraiser approved, organized, and ready for the first pancake breakfast. The following is a list of the most basic materials needed:
- pancake mix (instant, bulk size)
- measuring cups
- utensils
- plates
- napkins
- cups
- decorations
- beverages (juice, hot chocolate, coffee, etc.)
- sausage or bacon (pre-cooked, bulk size)
- syrup
- butter
On the day of the fundraiser it will be necessary for at least five parent volunteers to help with decorating, cooking, handling the cash box, and directing traffic. Student volunteers should be encouraged to help as well. General set up and cooking time is around one to two hours, depending on the turn out. The following are some tips that will help keep this fundraiser simple and effective.
- If the event will be an ongoing one be sure to keep templates of any fliers used, as well as a list of contributors.
- Purchase pre-cooked sausage as it is much easier to prepare than sausage that needs cooked.
- Keep all materials and non-perishable foods in clear storage containers and keep an inventory of all supplies that will be kept for future use.
For those schools with the funds and a creative cook, refer to the following website for great pancake recipes: http://www.pancakerecipes.net/.
