Saturday was a good day for Emporia’s American Legion Post 5.
The post’s latest Second Saturday breakfast offered pancakes, biscuits and gravy, eggs, cinnamon rolls, sausage, bacon and drinks for the masses — and fundraising for upgrades to the building’s kitchen equipment. Post Commander Ed Rathke was “thrilled” by the turnout, with over 300 people coming out. He was also grateful for recently acquired at steep discounts from First Christian Church and Tyson Foods over the last month — but he says there is still about $2,000 yet to gain so everything is paid off.
Rathke says the equipment helps the post continue as a community hub on Emporia’s west side while invigorating Legion members.
Over the last several weeks, the Legion post has picked up a reach-in fridge and separate reach-in freezer, two convection ovens, two deep fryers and a flat-top grill from Tyson, along with a kitchen-grade dishwasher and two pizza ovens from First Christian Church. Rathke says none of the equipment is new, but “it still has a lot of life left in it.” Rathke also thanked Rex Williams and Duane Coble for in-kind donations to the cause.
