MUSCATINE, Iowa–For students of all ages, having the right supplies to succeed in school makes all the difference. Though Muscatine Community School District and others make a concerted effort to provide all the supplies students will need in the classroom, kids still need clothing, shoes, backpacks, specialized equipment for clubs and sports, and even money for activity registrations and to travel for college visits as they prepare for their futures. The United Way of Muscatine Kids First Fund helps cover these costs for kids in need, working directly with educators and counselors in area schools to get students exactly what they need to thrive.
To help keep the Kids First Fund stocked, United Way holds an Annual Kids First Pancake Breakfast fundraiser. After not having the opportunity to do so during the acute early years of the COVID-19 pandemic, United Way will restart this popular event May 27 from 7 to 9 a.m. at Crossroads Inc., located at 1424 Houser Street in Muscatine.
Because United Way has not had as many opportunities for in-person fundraising since 2020, they have not brought in as much money for the Kids First Fund as they would have liked to. However, the need for support from the Kids First Fund remains. In 2021 1,453 Muscatine County students received support from the Kids First Fund totaling $30,000 in all.
Due to the continued demands on the Kids First Fund, Community Engagement Manager Hilary Henke feels elated to bring the Kids First Pancake Breakfast back once again: “We are looking forward to having an in-person fundraiser for the Kids First Fund for the first time in over two years. Donations have been down since we were unable to host in-person fundraisers, so we’d love to have a strong showing for the breakfast,” Henke said.
The morning of the breakfast, anyone who would like to support the Kids First Fund can come out and enjoy pancakes, eggs, and sausages either by dropping in or preordering by calling 563-263-5963. Rather than charging a set price, United Way accepts free will donations from all diners, and they encourage people to donate generously.
Because not everyone’s schedule allows them to take time off for breakfast, United Way has several other ways people can support the Kids First Fund. This year, Birdies for Charity in the Quad Cities will have United Way of Muscatine as one of the charities participants can choose to support and get a 5% match for. Additionally, anyone may donate directly to the Kids First Fund through the United Way of Muscatine’s website.
A well-attended event in the past, Henke looks forward to seeing members of the community come back together to make a positive difference for students in need at the Kids First Pancake Breakfast. “We can be the change we want to see in Muscatine and Louisa Counties,” she emphasized. “The Kids First Fund helps to eliminate barriers to learning and participation in school activities; we know that when barriers are eliminated, and students feel connected they are more likely to be successful in school.”
