Flip for a Cause! Join Us for the 71st Annual Kiwanis Pancake Day on November 10, 2026!
MONROE, LA — The Kiwanis Club of Greater Ouachita is excited to announce its 71st Annual Pancake Day, scheduled for Tuesday, November 10, 2026, at First Methodist Church on Loop Road in Monroe, Louisiana. This beloved community tradition brings together local businesses, sponsors, donors, and residents for a delicious meal and, more importantly, an opportunity to make a lasting difference in the lives of children throughout Ouachita Parish and Northeast Louisiana.
Thanks to the generous support of sponsors and donors throughout the region, Pancake Day 2025 was another tremendous success. The Kiwanis Club was able to contribute more than $22,500 to children's organizations, scholarships, and nonprofit programs, continuing its commitment to serving children and families in our community.
Proceeds from Pancake Day help fund a variety of programs and organizations that provide educational opportunities, encouragement, and meaningful experiences for local children. Through these efforts, the Kiwanis Club supports youth leadership and service programs, literacy initiatives, special needs camps, scholarships, and other organizations dedicated to improving children's lives.
Among the programs supported by last year's Pancake Day proceeds were K-Kids at Highland Elementary School, Builders Club at River Oaks School, and Key Clubs at West Monroe, Neville, Ouachita Christian, and Sterlington high schools. The club also awarded scholarships to graduating Key Club seniors to help them continue their educational journeys.
Additional highlights include partnering with MedCamps, sponsoring the Bikes for Books program at the Ouachita Parish Library, investing in the Northeast Children's Museum, and funding hundreds of books through Dolly Parton's Imagination Library for children in the area. These initiatives reflect Kiwanis' ongoing mission to create opportunities, encourage learning, and help children reach their full potential.
As preparations begin for the 71st Annual Pancake Day, the Kiwanis Club of Greater Ouachita invites local businesses, organizations, and individuals to join in supporting this important community tradition. Sponsorships and donations play a vital role in making these programs possible, and every contribution helps extend the club's reach and impact.Businesses and individuals interested in becoming sponsors are encouraged to contact the Kiwanis Club by email for more information.
Community members are also invited to attend Pancake Day and show their support. Tickets are $10 each and may be purchased from any Kiwanis Club member or at the door on the day of the event.
The Kiwanis Club of Greater Ouachita is grateful for the continued generosity of the community. Together, we can build on the success of previous Pancake Days and continue making a positive difference in the lives of children throughout Northeast Louisiana.
Event Details
- Event: 71st Annual Kiwanis Pancake Day
- Date: Tuesday, November 10, 2026
- Time: 6:30 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
- Location: First Methodist Church, Loop Road, Monroe, Louisiana
- Tickets: $10 each
- How to Purchase: Buy tickets from a Kiwanis Club member or at the door on the day of the event.
- Sponsorships: Businesses and individuals interested in becoming sponsors may contact the Kiwanis Club by email.
Join us for Pancake Day 2026 and help Kiwanis continue its mission of serving the children of our community—one pancake, one program, and one child at a time!
"Serving the Children of the World"
We partner with many local groups and organizations to help provide care and address needs for the children in our local community. Some of those community partners are:
NELA Children’s Museum is closer to new digs with the help of the Kiwanis Club of Great Ouachita
Donation will support the capital campaign, new exhibit at the museum’s new location
By Shahid Evans
Published: Mar. 31, 2026 at 5:16 PM CDT
Published: Mar. 31, 2026 at 5:16 PM CDT
MONROE, La. (KNOE) — The Kiwanis Club of Greater Ouachita donated $25,000 to the Northeast Louisiana Children’s Museum.Museum officials said the money will support the museum’s capital campaign and help fund an exhibit at its new location.Jana Nelson, president of the Kiwanis Club of Greater Ouachita, said the donation renews hope for the project.“I’ve personally watched the Children’s Museum since it began,” Nelson said. “The mission of Kiwanis is to improve the world, one child and one community at a time, and this fits perfectly with that mission.”
Melissa Saye, NELA Children’s Museum Director, said the museum will continue seeking sponsors.“The momentum is here,” Saye said. “We feel like our process of gathering the last of the funding is going to excel well.”Officials said they plan to break ground on the new facility in summer 2026 and open it in fall.
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MedCamps 2026
In a heartwarming display of community spirit and compassion, a group of Kiwanis Club of Greater Ouachita volunteers recently served dinner at MedCamps of Louisiana's Camp Alabama. This memorable evening for everyone involved showcased the power of collective goodwill and service. Kiwanis has a wonderful partnership with MedCamps, and we look forward to serving again in the future.
A Heartfelt Thank You!
The Kiwanis Club wants to extend our sincerest gratitude to the wonderful community for making our annual Pancake Day fundraiser an absolute smash hit!
Whether you came out for a stack of hotcakes, a sausage link, or just a cup of coffee, your support meant the world to us. This year, we saw an incredible turnout, and the energy and enthusiasm was truly inspiring.
Pancake Day is more than just a delicious breakfast; it's a vital part of how we raise the necessary funds to support the programs and initiatives that directly benefit the children right here in our local area. From scholarships for students to supporting essential community projects, the money raised goes straight back into making our community a better place.
To our volunteers, who flipped, served, cleaned, and smiled through the entire event: thank you for your tireless dedication. And to every single person who bought a ticket, stood in line, and enjoyed a meal: thank you for believing in the work that the Kiwanis Club does. To the businesses who supported us through sponsorships, we couldn't do it without you!
Your generosity fuels our mission. We are so proud to be a part of such a caring and supportive community.
We can't wait to see you next year!
BIKES FOR BOOKS 2025
The Kiwanis Club of Greater Ouachita celebrated the end of the Ouachita Parish Public Library's Summer Reading Program in a big way this year, awarding ten brand-new bicycles to ten lucky kids. The club, known for its commitment to the community, gives away one bicycle for each of the ten library branches to encourage young people to read.
The Summer Reading Program is an incredible effort by the library to keep kids engaged with books and community activities throughout the summer. The program not only prevents summer learning loss but also sparks a lifelong love for reading. At the end of the program, library staff members held drawings to select the winners.
The excitement was contagious as the winners were announced. Kids eagerly received their new bikes, their faces lighting up with pure joy. For many, it was an unexpected and thrilling surprise—a perfect reward for their hard work and dedication to reading all summer. This partnership between the Kiwanis Club and the Ouachita Parish Public Library highlights the power of community collaboration and the importance of supporting our youth.
Look for Bikes for Books again next summer in 2026!
Kiwanis Clubs Unite to Serve at Local Food Bank
In a remarkable demonstration of community collaboration, the Kiwanis Club of Greater Ouachita and the Kiwanis Club of Ruston recently teamed up to volunteer at the Food Bank of Northeast Louisiana, focusing on packing essential food supplies for senior citizens in need. This joint effort took place on Tuesday, drawing in enthusiastic members from both clubs.
The project aimed to address food insecurity among the senior population, a pressing issue in the community. Volunteers worked diligently to carefully pack boxes filled with nutritious items like canned goods, juice, and boxed items.
The collaboration not only helped to stock the food bank's shelves but also strengthened the ties between the two organizations. By the end of the day, 175 boxes had been prepared for delivery, ready to bring nourishment and joy to local seniors. This event underscores the importance of teamwork in service, showcasing how collective efforts can lead to significant change in the community.
- Sponsor Med-Camp Meals & Serve meals
- Sponsor Med-Camp Fee for Kids to Attend Camp
- Ouachita Parish Public Library "Bikes For Books"
- Louisiana Baptist Children's Home Easter Egg Hunt
- Christmas Day Meals on Wheels
- Children's Miracle Network Local Talent Show
- KEDM - "Give the Joy of Learning"
Every year we have one fundraiser in November. It is our Pancake Day! We have Pancake Day from 6:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. The money raised from that one day finances our service projects throughout the year. The community comes out in a big way and shows us a lot of love and support every year. Thank you!
Some of the money raised each year from our Pancake Day is also given out in scholarships. We currently have three Key Clubs in our local area. Those clubs are located at Neville, Sterlington, and West Monroe High Schools. Senior students in these clubs are eligible to apply for scholarships from our club. Only a select number of students are chosen for various amounts.