Residents who want to give back to the community while enjoying a hearty breakfast and good company should mark their calendars for the Sunday, Jan. 28 When the Clinton Lion’s Club holds its 12th annual Pancake Breakfast to benefit Families Helping Families (FHF) from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. No registration is required.

The event is free, but donations will be collected to fund five programs run by FHF. The five programs are Families to Families, Clinton Kids Initiative, Energy Assistance, Cans for Clinton, and the Fresh Produce program.

“These programs meet such diverse needs as energy assistance to ongoing support of The Clinton Food Pantry to providing a summer lunch program for Clinton children to making sure every child in Clinton has warm winter clothes,” said FHF President Miner Vincent. “The Clinton Lions Club donates every single penny raised at this event to FHF. All the donated funds remain in Clinton and help to assist Clinton families who might be going through some very difficult and unforeseen circumstances.”

Vincent said the idea for the breakfast came about after a meeting with the Lions Club 12 years ago.

“When we first started up we had a meeting with the Lions Club, and they thought what we’re doing was worthwhile,” Vincent said. “The Clinton Lions Club and all of its members are the driving force behind this breakfast...They pay for the expenses and then donate the proceeds to us, they’re very generous.”

Vincent estimated that when the Lions Club first started doing the breakfast, there were about 75 people at the event. However, since then, the event has grown even more popular.

“There’s probably over 1,000 pancakes made and they’ll serve between 200 and 250 people,” Vincent said.

Vincent said that FHF typically receives around $1,500 from the breakfast.

Vincent said that the Lions Club members arrive early in the morning to set up the room and begin cooking the breakfast and setting up the room.

“They have every aspect of this breakfast covered. They even serve everyone their order of pancakes and make sure the Green Room and the kitchen is spotless before they leave,” Vincent said, adding a pro tip: “One of the special features of this breakfast is the homemade, thick-cut bacon, which is not only delicious, but goes very quickly.”

For more information, call 860-669-5592 or visit www.facebook.com/ClintonFamiliesHelpingFamilies.