The traditional Manteca Kiwanis Club’s pancake breakfast was a good way to start off the Fourth of July.

David Soeth, president of the service organization, was among those helping out in front of the former Dave and Sylvia’s Restaurant on Monday morning.

The meal also served as nutritional replenishment.

Soeth and others, for example, were still getting over the festivities of the day before. Included was a flurry of activities at Big League Dreams topped off by the aerial fireworks show.

“I can’t wait to go home and get some sleep,” he said.

But before that, he and his fellow Kiwanians – some were members of KIWINS from the local high schools – along with Manteca firefighters had the task of feeding the community.

Soeth estimated 500 pancake breakfasts would be made hot off the grill before the start of the annual Independence Day parade.

The first crew arrived at the breakfast venue at 5:30 a.m.

Many in attendance also displayed their patriotism by wearing red, white and blue.

Take Cameron Johnson, for one.

He sported a T-shirt: “God Bless America – Proud to be American.”