Stuffer success in McDowell

A view of Thursday's crowd at the McDowell Pancake Stuffer (photo via George W. Lane/Facebook).

The annual McDowell United Methodist Church Pancake and Sausage Stuffer returned to rave reviews on Thursday.

After being away for a couple of years due to COVID, the Livingston County January tradition did not disappoint. On a social media post late Thursday evening, the church revealed 947 individuals came out to support the church by purchasing a pancake meal.

“We were selling the sausage for the last two years but now we are able to get back to the pancake and sausage stuffer as normal,” explained church member George Lane.

Due to finding help and work schedules, the hours were adjusted this year as the stuffer ran from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Those attending enjoyed the usual menu of flavorful pancakes, sausage, applesauce, coffee and milk.

The church goes through 27 dozen eggs, 27 gallons of milk, 71 half gallons, 28 pounds of margarine and 12 cases of pancake mix. The live weight of the hogs used for sausage was 3500 pounds, according to Lane.

On average, the church serves 1200 to 1300 people during the event, which was a two-day ordeal many years ago.

“It takes everybody to run it now,” said Lane. “All of the church members come and help.”

If anyone would like to purchase sausage, the church has approximately 90 pounds of link sausage available. They will be selling it today (Friday) at the church from 8 to 11 a.m. Price is $5 a pound and the sausage must be picked up at the church during this time frame.

You’ve never eaten a pancake like the ones served at McDowell. In fact, it is the church’s own secret recipe. Lane believes the griddles make them taste so good.

“Thanks again to our supporters who have helped us in any way,” the church said on Facebook late Thursday.