SF Cafe Raises Money For Youth Missions

Early Tuesday morning when most restaurants are closed for Christmas, Bob's Cafe's grills were hot and ready serving breakfast to more than 100 people for free.

The pancakes were hot as the syrup poured easy at Bob's Cafe early Christmas morning. More than 100 people packed inside the small dining room along West 12th Street.

"They're serving pancakes and sausage and it's delicious," Charles Hemmer said.

The breakfast is free to anyone who sits down at the counter. Instead of paying the cook, people make donations to St. Michael's Catholic Church. It will help pay for youth group mission trips.

The people in the kitchen aren't Bob's usual staff, instead volunteers from the Knights of Columbus.

"I would rather be in bed, it was really early to get up but now it's not too bad," Philip Schulte said.

This is the second year in a row Bob's owner Ben Weiland lends his restaurant for the good cause.

"It's a great opportunity for kids to go help others, it's almost a gift that keeps giving," Weiland said.

And the hearty breakfast is also a gift for customers.

"It's Christmas, you always have fun on Christmas, you know and it's fun to go out and help others," Hemmer said.

On Tuesday morning they raised about $800. Last year, all proceeds of the breakfast helped the Special Olympics.