A viral pancake brand and a Galesburg nonprofit are joining forces for a community fundraiser — and the partnership is already turning heads well beyond Knox County.
Bridgeway Inc. and Judy’s Family Brands are co-presenting the Judy’s Pancakes 5K and Fun Run Family Day on Saturday, June 13, at Hawthorne Center in Galesburg. Proceeds benefit Bridgeway’s Adventure Committee, which funds life-enriching outings for consumers with disabilities and mental health needs.
Debbie Moehler, senior director at Bridgeway, Alyssa Hart, vice president of disability services at Bridgeway, and Victor Dantas, co-owner of Judy’s Family Brands, joined Galesburg’s Morning News Thursday morning to talk about it.
Topics covered in this interview:
- How the partnership between Bridgeway and Judy’s came together
- How Judy’s went from a Galesburg cafe to a global viral phenomenon with over one billion views
- Bridgeway’s mission — serving individuals with disabilities, mental health challenges, and substance use disorders across the I-74 corridor
- Where the money goes — last year, 120 consumers and staff attended a Cubs game at Wrigley Field
- What to expect June 13 — 5K, fun run, cornhole tournament, food trucks, craft vendors, and more
- A virtual event on June 12 for Bridgeway consumers in the Rockford/Loves Park area
- How to register, volunteer, or sponsor
The event runs 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Hawthorne Center in Galesburg. The 5K begins at 8 a.m., the fun run at 9, and the cornhole tournament at 10:30. Registration and volunteer sign-up are available at raceroster.com.
Click here to Watch on YouTube
Related: Judy’s viral fame meets local need: Pancakes 5K on June 13 benefits Bridgeway consumers
Related: Judy’s Family Cafe is getting a complete transformation — and the empire is growing

