BY ROGER SMITH
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
INEZ — The Kiwanis Club of Martin County is preparing to serve up a hearty helping of local favorites at their annual Hillbilly Breakfast. For just $6, enjoy an all-you-can-eat feast of gravy, biscuits, eggs, sausage, fried bologna, fried potatoes, fried apples, chocolate gravy and assorted drinks.
Kiwanis president Melissa Phelps is hoping for a large turnout Saturday, May 4 from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Inez Elementary School.
“We do a good country breakfast,” Phelps said.
For Kiwanis, the Hillbilly Breakfast fills more than plates and bellies. The event is a fundraiser for scholarships for local high school seniors preparing to graduate. Typically, it raises enough money to fund two scholarships each year.
“Sometimes we’ve done three,” remarked Phelps. “It just depends on how much we raise. We try to provide $1,000 for each scholarship, something substantial for the kids.”
The Kiwanis Club looks for recipients who are not receiving other scholarships but have shown a commitment to service in their community.
“Of course, we want them to have good grades and that sort of thing,” said Phelps. “We really pinpoint kids who are engaged in and giving back to their community. That’s what Kiwanis is about.”
To help the cause, the club sells advertisements and sponsorships that are displayed on placemats at the breakfast.
“We make good signs that everyone can see and give our sponsors good P.R. for helping with the cause,” said Phelps.
She mentioned the support from local businesses, particularly IGA, which donates the food.
“Since I’ve been involved and even years before that, IGA has always donated the food for the breakfast. Derle Walker was a huge supporter of the event. His daughter [Judy Walker Ousley] and grandson [Brad Pack] have continued that and have always been supportive. We couldn’t do it without them because of the cost of food these days.”
Phelps noted that the Mountain Citizen always advertises and promotes the event for free.
“That helps us tremendously to be able to make money on the event,” she said.
Besides raising funds, the event that started at least three decades ago is a social gathering for the community.
“A lot of people like to come in and see people who they haven’t seen in a while,” remarked Phelps. “For some, it’s the one time a year that they get to sit down and eat together. It’s just a good time of fellowship.”
Kiwanis members themselves enjoy the chance to work together.
“When we’re selling lemonade at festivals and running the Harvest Festival, everyone is scattered and doing different things at different times,” Phelps said. “We’re all working together at this one set time, so it’s a good time of fellowship for us as well. It’s probably one of our favorite events.”
Phelps shared her appreciation of the Martin County School District for providing the space for the breakfast at no charge. She encourages everyone to bring their appetite. The breakfast offers both dine-in and takeout options.