You need to eat breakfast, and a variety of fraternal organizations, senior centers and veterans groups need to pay the bills. Out of such mundane considerations comes the win-win situation of area pancake breakfasts.

For Battle River Masonic Lodge No. 92 in Hermosa, proceeds from pancake breakfasts did a little better than pay for utilities. After meeting for years in the historic but decrepit Hermosa School building, members were able to move into a new lodge in 2000. The new lodge cost more than $100,000, and according to Cliff Peterson, a longtime member, "I would almost be willing to bet that maybe a third of the money came from breakfasts."

Rapid City Masonic Lodge No. 25 and Mount Rushmore Lodge No. 220 also have met for years in a historic building, one of considerable architectural interest at 618 Kansas City St. The building itself is in good shape, but maintenance and utilities for the large, two-story structure are costly, according to Lowell Holmgren, a past master of Lodge 25 and a member of 46 years. "The heating bills are horrendous," Holmgren said. "Months like this, they can go over $1,000 a month." The breakfasts play an important role in those expenditures, plus the Masons are trying to accumulate funds to make the building more energy-efficient.

Of course, it's not the urge to help with expenses that draws most people to pull up folding chairs to a long communal table and dig into a plateful of breakfast fare. The breakfasts generally have a reasonable price of $4 to $6 for adults and less for children; and the menu of pancakes, eggs, sausage, coffee and juice is competently prepared and tasty enough to satisfy most appetites. Some groups offer all-you-can-eat, and some include biscuits and gravy.

For the Rapid City Masons, the breakfasts are a cooperative effort, according to Holmgren, with the four organizations affiliated with the Masons working on alternate Sundays.

"There are usually three or four cooks. One cooks eggs, one cooks sausage and one cooks pancakes. We have a couple of guys washing dishes," Holmgren said, who usually takes on pancake duties himself. "I'm better with pancakes than I am with eggs. They usually turn over more civilly."

For many, it's the chance to socialize that brings them in the door. "It is not just come in, eat what you want and walk out the door," Peterson said. "Because we are a small community, we have groups that meet there. They have breakfast and visit for a half hour afterward. That is kind of a neat thing for them, and I think they like that part."

Holmgren agrees the opportunity to catch up with friends and family is important. "Some people come for breakfast early and hang around all morning, visiting with people."

Sometimes, it's community or fraternal spirit that draws the crowd. Peterson recalls when a lodge member had a family tragedy. "One Sunday, rather than charge $5 for all-you-can-eat, it was free with a donation barrel. We raised $2,000 that day. I tell you what, people who would pay $5 the week before will come in and throw $20 in that jar." A typical pancake breakfast provides about $500 after expenses, according to Peterson.

The Hermosa lodge probably holds one pancake breakfast a year to collect donations to benefit a particular cause.

The chance to socialize is also a big part of an enjoyable breakfast at area senior centers, such as Canyon Lake Senior Citizens Center. "People do come specifically for the social environment, and the brunch is a benefit," center director Michael LaBelle said. The monthly event supports the senior community and the wider community, according to LaBelle. Funds from the meals keep fees low for community groups that use the facilities. "One of the big programs we have is the AARP tax program," LaBelle said. "That is benefiting the community because you don't have to be a member."

Hill City Senior Center members started serving breakfast during the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally about eight years ago, according to volunteer Mary Beth Johnson. After the tourist season, some of the town's restaurants close down. "Locals and church groups stop by," Johnson said, noting that the center serves about 100 people at its monthly breakfast. "If we didn't have that, we would be closing the doors."

Contact Laura Tonkyn at 394-8405 or laura.tonkyn@rapidcityjournal.com.