Kiwanis Club of Carefree Hosts Annual Pancake Breakfast on April 11

Carefree, AZ – The Kiwanis Club of Carefree is gearing up for one of the community’s most beloved traditions—the Annual Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast—taking place April 11. After months of preparation, the team is officially in high gear to deliver another morning of great food, community spirit, and family fun.

“We’ve been planning this event for a couple of months now, already having secured the site and the town support services,” said Barbara Pearse, Kiwanis Food Event Manager. “Now we’re in full pre-event prep mode. Last year we served nearly 900 guests, filling plates with hot pancakes, blueberry compote, butter, and syrup—fresh off the griddle.”

Precision is key to the Kiwanis cooking operation. The team uses infrared sensors to constantly check the temperature of the cooking surfaces, ensuring perfect pancakes every time. Teen volunteers manage batter rotation with practiced consistency, keeping quality and taste at the forefront.

Despite rising costs, Kiwanis remains committed to keeping the breakfast affordable at $10 for adults and $5 for kids—a price unchanged for several years. Coffee, orange juice, and even second helpings are included.

Pearse praises the teamwork and dedication behind the scenes. The high school football team sets up tables, chairs, and cooking equipment the night before, while teen volunteers place tablecloths and decorations. “We get the same 30 high-schoolers and 25 grade-schoolers volunteering year after year,” she said. “They work together like clockwork. Set down your fork—and zoom—one of the young soccer players will have your plate cleared before you notice. They’re quick!”

This year’s breakfast follows the tremendous success of Kiwanis’ Christmas Event, which drew 2,500 attendees and featured the giveaway of 80 bicycles, along with 1,200 hot dogs and more cotton candy than Pearse says she’s ever seen in her life.

Events like these highlight Kiwanis’ mission of supporting local youth and families through grants, scholarships, and community programs. “We want our local families to have fun while we support the needs of our community,” Pearse added. “And we can’t thank everyone enough for your donations to the Kiwanis Marketplace—and for shopping and volunteering there. You make all of this possible.”