Firefighters flip pancakes for 1,025 diners
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RONAN — A frenzy of firefighters cooked up a storm on Saturday and Sunday at the annual Pancake Feed. Feeding more than 1,000 people, the Ronan Volunteer Fire Department happily spent their weekend in the Ronan Community Center kitchen preparing a pancake breakfast that included sausages, eggs, waffles, biscuits and gravy, and of course the RFD’s legendary pancakes.
“It went really well,” Ronan firefighter Mike Bartel said. “It was actually pretty smooth for us. I think most of those guys who do the cooking have got it down to an art.”
The motley crew of charming firefighters pitched in from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. both days, not including all the setup and preparation on Friday and early Saturday. They hosted an array of guests from Polson to Arlee and beyond, including travelers just passing through.
The breakfast was $5 per person or $20 per family and the fire department accepted donations from private individuals and businesses alike.
Firefighters from Charlo, Polson and St. Ignatius came to support the benefit, which grossed a total of $7,800. With a net profit of $4,000, the firefighters were overjoyed with the success of the annual event.
Bartel explained that in years past, the Pancake Feed funded a specific item the fire department needed.
Last year, for example, the fire department was saving up for a new Jaws of Life vehicle and used the proceeds from the Pancake Feed to purchase the new rig. But after the purchase of the Jaws of Life this year, this year’s profits will be placed in the fund for emergencies or for future purchases.
Bartel estimated that the profits of the feed doubled from last year.
“(This was) the best year yet, as far as I know,” Bartel said. “The community really showed their support for us.”
Except for a few years in between, the fire department has been hosting the Pancake Feed for over 30 years, Bartel explained.
And with such an energetic crowd and a successful outcome, community members are banking on the annual pancake breakfast for the next 30 years at least.
