Ellden's pancake breakfast supports continuing need

The Neighbors Foundation helps those on Grand Island who are in temporary need. While its biggest fundraiser takes place at Christmas time, its work is year-round.

David Conboy, president of the Neighbors Foundation, said “the need continues.”

A pancake breakfast fundraiser Sunday at Ellden’s Grill & Banquet at River Oaks Golf Club raised money for those Islanders in need; Ellden’s owners Diane and Tom Brady hosted the breakfast and donated 100 percent of the proceeds to the Neighbors Foundation.

“This goes into the general fund for the Neighbors Foundation so we can help those on the Island who are in need,” said Conboy of the proceeds of the event. “We’re just so grateful to Diane and Tom Brady for their generosity in hosting this pancake breakfast, and we appreciate all the Islanders who came out on a cold day to enjoy food, fellowship, and to support a very, very good cause.”

“We had our big food delivery in December,” Conboy said of the Share Your Happiness campaign during which the Neighbors Foundation helped 55 families. “But, since then, we’ve helped more than 10 families, the latest just yesterday. A family in need contacted us and we delivered them food and provided a gift card for Tops.”

The Neighbors Foundation will benefit from its next big drive, the U.S. Postal Service employees’ Stamp Out Hunger drive in the spring, but donations to the foundation are appreciated at all times so that the cupboards aren’t bare after the holidays.

“With the cold weather, higher bills, potentially car repairs or things that are impacting people, they need assistance, and we’re glad that we’re able to provide that food assistance to our neighbors on Grand Island through the foundation and again through the generosity of our neighbors on Grand Island.”