After a long Friday night at the bar, sometimes there is just not enough money left to buy breakfast. That is where Jericho Road Breakfast Club comes in.

The Summit United Methodist Church has been serving late-night breakfasts for Ohio State students since 1997 when a few church members decided to stand outside the church and invite passers-by and near-by party guests to come in for free food. In recent years, OSU has collaborated with the church through the fraternity of Alpha Tau Omega.

Twice each quarter, on the first Friday of the month, volunteers from the fraternity serve eggs, toast and pancakes at Jericho Road.

“They can have as many as they want,” said Chris Gardener, Summit United’s campus minister. “Second, third courses are always available.” The church also offers music, movies karaoke and a Nintendo Wii.

Gardener said the breakfasts have become a weekend staple for some students.

“From what I’ve heard, there have been students who have attended every breakfast for all of their four years,” he said.

Ben Harper, community service chairman for Alpha Tau Omega, said the breakfast program acts as a safe-haven for students late at night.

“Our primary purpose is to give students a place to come as an alternative to partying and drinking, or as a place to come and be safe,” said the sophomore history major. “I would much rather have students who have been out for a night of partying come to a well-lit place. They can get some food, be safe and end their night in a safe and very peaceful fashion.”

Gardner estimates 50-60,000 students have attended breakfasts since the program’s creation. Although each event has varied amounts of attendees, he said it is not abnormal for 1,000 students to attend in one night.

Jericho Road accepts donations from students who attend breakfast, but they donate all proceeds to help local families.

“It’s purely outreach and philanthropic,” Gardner said.

Jericho Road Breakfast Club will hold their next breakfast from 11 p.m. to 2 a.m. on Feb. 6 at the Summit United Methodist Church, located at 82 E. 16th Ave.

Amanda Forbes can be reached at [email protected].