LEYDEN — The upcoming Father’s Day breakfast hosted by the Leyden Firefighters Association is the latest in a string of annual community meals that have been converted to a drive-thru format in the wake of COVID-19 health concerns.
The breakfast will be held Sunday from 7 to 11 a.m. at Leyden Town Hall.
Members of the Leyden Firefighters Association, the nonprofit that raises money to support the Fire Department, previously held a drive-thru breakfast for Mother’s Day. Following the success of the first breakfast, Brian Pelletier, officer in charge with the Leyden Fire Department, said members began planning for the Father’s Day event.
“We had a really great turnout,” Pelletier said of the Mother’s Day breakfast. “It was nice to see a lot of people from town, and even out of town.”
Pelletier joked he and the other breakfast volunteers are looking forward to “playing the game” everyone is growing familiar with — identifying the neighbor under the mask by their approaching voice or familiar vehicles. After getting the chance to troubleshoot the drive-thru format in May, Pelletier said the Leyden Firefighters Association is ready for decent attendance this Father’s Day.
“With the rules applying how they normally do, Father’s Day is always a little busier than Mother’s Day,” Pelletier said.
To adhere to social distancing and public health guidelines, Pelletier said drivers will be split into two lanes in front of Town Hall. Volunteers — which include members of the Leyden Firefighters Association and the Leyden Fire Department — will take orders at the start of the line and the orders will be sent to the kitchen. The breakfasts will be brought outside through the building’s side and rear doors for patrons to pick up from their vehicles. Depending on the size of an order, Pelletier said guests may be asked to park off to the side and wait a moment as meals are prepared, so as to help the main line keep a steady pace.
Fathers and children under 10 years old will pay $5, while all others will pay $10. The menu includes scrambled eggs, pancakes (plain, chocolate chip or blueberry), French toast, bacon, sausage and home fries.
Pelletier said money raised from the Leyden Firefighters Association’s annual events, such as the Mother’s Day and Father’s Day breakfasts, supports the nonprofit, which in turn assists the Fire Department, most frequently with purchasing equipment.
Zack DeLuca can be reached at zdeluca@recorder.com or 413-930-4579.