Cake4Kids Coachella Valley delivers its 1000th cake
Cake4Kids, a non-profit organization whose local chapter was formed in 2022, celebrated a milestone recently by delivering its 1000th cake to a local student.
Cake4Kids, a non-profit organization whose local chapter was formed in 2022, celebrated a milestone recently by delivering its 1000th cake to a local student.
Driving the news: On Dec. 19, a [local elementary school student], was the recipient of a pink birthday cake.
Volunteer baker Steve Salva was on hand for the delivery, as was Ray Biller, who founded the local chapter, Gavin Sadow, a school counselor who helps get the cakes ordered each month, and Kirsten Moll, the youth’s teacher.
Zoom in: All cakes are baked and delivered by the more than 100 volunteers who respond to requests from local agencies, including the Boys & Girls Club of Palm Springs, Barbara Sinatra Children's Center, and more.
The organizations help identify children in need of birthday, graduation, adoption, or special recognition cakes.
The impact: Cake4Kids' mission is to provide cakes for children who might not otherwise receive one for momentous occasions in their lives, bringing a touch of sweetness and celebration to those in need.
But wait: Cake4Kids is actively seeking more volunteer bakers to meet the demand for cakes. Interested individuals can register at cake4kids.org/volunteer.
Children's social service agencies interested in partnering with Cake4Kids can contact Biller at ray@cake4kids.org
Baking the world a better place: Birthday cakes for underserved kids
An army of volunteers in the Triangle is baking and delivering birthday cakes to children whose life circumstances have never allowed them to experience a birthday celebration before.
RALEIGH, N.C. — An army of volunteers in the Triangle is baking and delivering birthday cakes to children whose life circumstances have never allowed them to experience a birthday celebration before.
Mashavu Gordon launched Cake4Kids North Carolina two years ago with a mission to let kids know they aren’t forgotten and make sure underserved youth in the Triangle have birthday celebrations worth remembering.
“When you think about being a child, your birthday is supposed to be your special day, and it was really humbling to know that some of these young people, even the teens and young adults that we service, had never had a birthday cake before,” Gordon said.
Watch the full segment or read the full article here
Cake4Kids, Coachella Velly Chapter, Is Delivering Smiles to Children… One Birthday Cake At A Time
Cake4Kids Coachella Valley is helping children celebrate their birthday, one cake at a time.
The Coachella Valley Chapter of nonprofit Cake4Kids, recently hosted its sold out Drag Bingo event with Ethylina Canne at The Roost Lounge, to rave reviews with a crowd of over 165 guests. Sponsored by GED Magazine, the event raised over $3,000, with all attendees truly enjoying a fun time. “Three cakes were auctioned off during the event, with the top one selling for $900,” said Ray Biller, Cake4Kids Ambassador for the Coachella Valley.
Has the thought of a child without a birthday cake ever crossed your mind?
Cake4Kids says unfortunately, this happens all the time, but the organization’s Coachella Valley Chapter is working hard to change all of that! An army of volunteers is putting a smile on kids’ faces by baking and delivering free, custom homemade birthday cakes to at-risk and underserved children ages 1 to 24 in our Valley. Cake4Kids partners with agencies and organizations throughout the country who serve at-risk and underserved youth.
“It is inconceivable to me that a child might not get this recognition on their birthday,” said Biller. “But many children in our community don’t. It’s like a wake-up call, and it is at the heart of what we do. We make these kids smile and build their self-esteem. It impacts their families too. They would love to give more to their loved ones, but are stretched so thin financially.”
Read the full article here
A Sweet Interview with KFRS
Listen to this short but sweet story about the difference Cake4Kids Monterey is making in the community.
Sit back and enjoy this 2-part KFRS radio interview with Cake4Kids Monterey ambassador Jen Ibarra. Hear first-hand about the difference a cake makes for a child in need, how you can get involved.
DC State Fair celebrates all things local
The DC State Fair was a true community gathering, spotlighting all things local, including Cake4Kids.
News4’s Derrick Ward was at the D.C. State Fair Saturday, where Washingtonians gathered for family-friendly activities and vendors, including Cake4Kids.
Check out the full segment here
Custom cakes for the underserved with Cake4Kids
DC News Now highlights Cake4Kids’ work in supporting underserved youth.
DC News Now shines a spotlight on Cake4Kids and the mission to provide custom cakes for the underserved.
Check out the new segment here
Baking & Delivering Cakes For Underserved Children
Spotlight Chicago checks in on Cake4Kids to find out more about how a simple act of kindness can make a huge impact raising self-esteem and confidence for so many.
What’s a birthday without a cake? Well, for so many kids across Chicago.. a birthday cake is considered a luxury. That’s why “Cake 4 Kids” is gathering volunteers to bake and deliver custom cakes to underserved birthday boys and girls. The simple act of kindness can make a huge impact raising self-esteem and confidence for so many.
Check out the full article here
Former Foster Youth Bakes 700 Cakes for Underserved Youth in Fresno Community
Longtime Fresno resident, Roberta Parks, spent her teen years in foster care and knows first-hand the emotional toll that comes when childhood trauma leads to living with a family you’ve never met before. A family who not only isn’t related but doesn’t know what you’ve endured or how to help you heal. Today, Roberta channels that experience into every cake she creates with Cake4Kids, a national nonprofit providing free birthday cakes for underserved youth. Roberta is set to bake and deliver her 700th birthday cake in the Fresno community.
“As a child in foster care, my heart was hardened, I didn’t want people to know how hurt I was inside,” Roberta explained, “when I deliver a cake I want the child’s heart to melt enough to feel worthy of a moment created just for them.” It’s in this lived experience where Roberta found her inspiration. She shares her love and talent of baking and decorating with today’s underserved youth, something she has realized helps her heal.
Fresno, California (June 4, 2024) Longtime Fresno resident, Roberta Parks, spent her teen years in foster care and knows first-hand the emotional toll that comes when childhood trauma leads to living with a family you’ve never met before. A family who not only isn’t related but doesn’t know what you’ve endured or how to help you heal. Today, Roberta channels that experience into every cake she creates with Cake4Kids, a national nonprofit providing free birthday cakes for underserved youth. Roberta is set to bake and deliver her 700th birthday cake in the Fresno community.
“As a child in foster care, my heart was hardened, I didn’t want people to know how hurt I was inside,” Roberta explained, “when I deliver a cake I want the child’s heart to melt enough to feel worthy of a moment created just for them.” It’s in this lived experience where Roberta found her inspiration. She shares her love and talent of baking and decorating with today’s underserved youth, something she has realized helps her heal. She began volunteering with Cake4Kids in 2018 and has been baking around 115 cakes per year ever since. Roberta will deliver a red velvet cake for a 14 year old, her 700th custom cake and delivery with Cake4Kids.
Remembering her teen years in foster care as a time when her desires never came to fruition, when she bakes for youth today she has a deep understanding of how important it is to personalize the decorations and flavors exactly as requested. “When I was 16, my foster Mom got me a cake. It had my name on it in lavender, and purple flowers because purple was my favorite color. It’s the only cake I remember receiving as a child.” The cake made Roberta feel like she was worthy in that one moment in time. As she bakes and decorates each cake it is her mission to pass along a lasting, positive, memory for each youth to carry with them through life, a memory of someone caring about them and feeling like their life is meaningful.
Since she first heard about Cake4Kids 6 years ago, Roberta instantly connected with its mission to make every youth feel seen and valued, lifted up and supported. “I like to go above and beyond with the cakes I bake and decorate, not for the compliments that I receive, but to let the children know just how valuable and wonderful they are. I remember the first cake I baked, it was a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle theme, I remember the name of the child and the date I delivered it.”
Kindness, Creativity…and Cake
Volunteer bakers around the country are stirring the batter and spreading the icing to ensure that at-risk kids living in foster care, shelters, and group homes have a birthday or graduation cake.
While bakers need a good level of decorating skill to write on the cake, they don’t have to be pros, explained Alison Bakewell, executive director of Cake4Kids, a national nonprofit that matches bakers with underprivileged kids wanting a birthday cake. She says many volunteers are at home hobby bakers and there are a couple of retired pastry chefs. However, even a box cake with canned frosting can put a much-needed smile on a kid’s face.
By Kate Walter Thursday, May 30, 2024
Volunteer bakers around the country are stirring the batter and spreading the icing to ensure that at-risk kids living in foster care, shelters, and group homes have a birthday or graduation cake.
While bakers need a good level of decorating skill to write on the cake, they don’t have to be pros, explained Alison Bakewell, executive director of Cake4Kids, a national nonprofit that matches bakers with underprivileged kids wanting a birthday cake. She says many volunteers are at home hobby bakers and there are a couple of retired pastry chefs. However, even a box cake with canned frosting can put a much-needed smile on a kid’s face.
“We have a lot of retirees finding great joy and delivering smiles to underserved children as volunteers,” says Bakewell of Cake4Kids. “One of our most prolific bakers is 83. This is a great opportunity for seniors.”
Since Cake4Kids was started in 2010, their bakers have made and delivered 61,000 cakes. The nonprofit organization now has over 5,000 volunteers spread over 27 chapters in 20 states and partners with 1,100 social service agencies.
Cakes4Kids working to make sure every kid has a special cake for their birthday
(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Many kids look forward to everyone gathering around a cake to sing “Happy Birthday.” One organization has a chapter in Chicago that is ensuring everyone gets something sweet on their birthday.
By Andy Dahn and WBBM Newsradio Staff
May 21, 20244:49 pm
(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Many kids look forward to everyone gathering around a cake to sing “Happy Birthday.” One organization has a chapter in Chicago that is ensuring everyone gets something sweet on their birthday.
"We started baking and delivering cakes to the youth here in Chicagoland. Kids in foster care, homeless shelters, refugee groups, group homes, things like that," said Emily Gyure, who is the Volunteer Ambassador for the Chicago chapter of the organization Cake4Kids.
Cakes4Kids was founded back in 2010 and brought to Chicago 10 years later.
Cake4Kids provides a small gesture that comes with big feelings
You might assume that every child gets a birthday cake on their special day. But sometimes, that’s not what happens. Cake4Kids tries to fill that gap for children that may otherwise go without.
“It’s inconceivable to me that a child might not get this recognition on their birthday,” said Coachella Valley Cake4Kids ambassador Ray Biller. “But many children in our community don’t. It’s like a wake-up call, and it’s at the heart of what we do. We make these kids smile and build their self-esteem.
by Sergio Garcia: Special to The Desert Sun
Macaroni and cheese, yin and yang, Donny and Marie, cakes and kids — they all go so well together. You might assume that every child gets a birthday cake on their special day. But sometimes, that’s not what happens. Cake4Kids tries to fill that gap for children that may otherwise go without.
“It’s inconceivable to me that a child might not get this recognition on their birthday,” said Coachella Valley Cake4Kids ambassador Ray Biller. “But many children in our community don’t. It’s like a wake-up call, and it’s at the heart of what we do. We make these kids smile and build their self-esteem. It impacts their families, too. They would love to give more to their loved ones but are stretched so thin financially.”
Cake4Kids partners with local children's services agencies. They identify when a child might not be able to receive a cake on an important day, like a birthday, graduation, neighborhood welcome, special holiday or unique achievement. Volunteers bake cakes, cookies, cupcakes and brownies and deliver them to agencies, who in turn present the treats to children. Boys & Girls Club of Palm Springs, Olive Crest, Shelter from the Storm, Coachella Valley Rescue Mission, Big Brothers Big Sisters and Rio Vista Elementary all currently participate, and Cake4Kids is looking to expand that roster.
Cake4Kids Ambassador Ray Biller poses with volunteer baker Cathy Walker Montgomery and her husband, Ron.
Pittsburgh area junior helps bring the non-profit Cake4Kids to Pennsylvania
Sometimes the biggest impact can come from things that are so small and one teenager is making things just a little sweeter for those who need it the most.
Whether it's pies, cupcakes, cookies, or chocolate cake topped with fresh berries, these desserts look like they would be behind a glass case inside a high-end bakery.
However, they are not.
They are made by 17-year-old Ishaan Sharma, an ambassador for Cake4Kids.
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) - Sometimes the biggest impact can come from things that are so small and one teenager is making things just a little sweeter for those who need it the most.
Whether it's pies, cupcakes, cookies, or chocolate cake topped with fresh berries, these desserts look like they would be behind a glass case inside a high-end bakery.
However, they are not.
They are made by 17-year-old Ishaan Sharma, an ambassador for Cake4Kids.
"It's always a thing that makes people happy, I've never seen someone sad when they got a cookie or something like that," he said.
For the Upper St. Clair High School junior, when the pandemic hit and he was stuck at home, he was looking to stay busy.
While he didn't give a specific number, he said he spends a lot of time perfecting his cupcakes and other sweet treats.
His first major undertaking was a two-tiered birthday cake for his brother.
"He definitely loved it," Sharma said. "It was just a simple yellow cake with chocolate frosting."
"He really seemed to enjoy it, he always enjoyed food," added his mother, Priyanka.
Priyanka quickly saw that this was becoming more than just a hobby for her son. He ended up working with an agency to bake cupcakes for an after-school program.
"He was like, 'No, mom, I don't want to fundraise, I just want to give them cupcakes, it brings them joy,'" she recalled.
"I got letters from every single kid that was telling me just how much they loved it," Ishaan said.
Not long after, a friend told Priyanka about the national non-profit Cake4Kids.
The organization works with various agencies to provide free cakes to foster children and at-risk youth.
After learning that there was no Pennsylvania chapter, Ishaan and Priyanka decided to start one.
"Both he and I thought this was the right thing to do," Priyanka said.
So far, they've recruited more than a dozen people to volunteer to bake cakes or any dessert that is requested.
The experience so far has been rewarding for both mother and son.
"When you see children's lives you can impact, it makes you keep going," Priyanka said.
"It surprised me just how much kids don't get that joy," Ishaan added. "Just how much of an impact that makes when they do get to experience it."
And that...is pretty sweet.
Next month, they'll deliver their first cake and they want to do more, but they're still looking for additional volunteers.
Service Spotlight: Cake4Kids
This week’s “The Smile Project” Service Spotlight highlights two of my favorite things: service and baking! Meet Alison Bakewell, Executive Director of Cake4Kids a California-based organization that operates across 19 U.S. states.
Every day Cake4Kids is changing this reality, providing at-risk youth with positive, critical childhood experiences that build their self-esteem and help guide them toward a bright future—their very own cake in celebration of birthdays, graduations, adoptions, and academic awards. The simplest gesture of being seen and celebrated makes a world of difference.
The Smile Project: Service Spotlight on Cake4Kids
I am thrilled to share this week’s Service Spotlight as it highlights two of my favorite things: service and baking! Meet Alison Bakewell, Executive Director of Cake4Kids a California-based organization that operates across 19 U.S. states.
Liz: Let’s start in traditional Smile Project fashion. Give me a “Happiness is!”
Alison: Happiness is knowing we have brought a little light, hope, and joy into the lives of youth.
Liz: Tell me about Cake4Kids.
Alison: Take a moment to imagine going through your childhood being overlooked or neglected with no one remembering let alone celebrating you, your birthday, or your accomplishments. For youth experiencing homelessness, recovering from abuse or trafficking, moving through foster care, or living at the poverty line this is their reality.
Every day Cake4Kids is changing this reality, providing at-risk youth with positive, critical childhood experiences that build their self-esteem and help guide them toward a bright future—their very own cake in celebration of birthdays, graduations, adoptions, and academic awards. The simplest gesture of being seen and celebrated makes a world of difference.
Liz: What is the driving force behind what you do?
Alison: There is a staggering number of youth experiencing homelessness, recovering from abuse or trafficking, moving through foster care, or living at the poverty line in the United States, and there are hundreds of thousands of kids, teens, and young adults who need our support. We recognize that the underserved youth we serve require food, shelter, safety, and education first and foremost, but those elements are simply not enough to create a positive childhood and guide them into successful adulthood.
With every cake delivery we are creating critical childhood experiences and social support that make youth feel whole and help carry them through their trauma. Each cake is a reminder that they matter; there is a community standing with them.
We often hear from the youth who generously share their stories about what their cake meant to them. For many, it’s their first-ever birthday cake or cupcake whether they are 6, 14, or 21. For most, it’s the first time someone took the time to make them feel valued or special.
One sixteen-year-old said, “The cake was really delicious and the only thing I wanted to do was give you guys my blessing for a healthy and happy life, because you don’t even know the people that you give a cake to but still you baked them, leaving them feeling special because that’s how I felt. That there was someone that didn’t know me but they still baked a cake just for me making me feel special, loved, and happy. And I know there’s a lot of people who feel the same way as me. Thanks for everything… for making us special, for making us happy, for making us feel like someone cares about us.”
These are the stories that motivate us every single day!
Liz: What does service mean to you?
Alison: For us, service means lifting up those around us through small acts of kindness. The joy on the face of a child holding their cake shows the profound effect each of us can make by taking some time out of our day to show others they matter.
Liz: How can people get involved?
Alison: Anyone can get involved with Cake4Kids and help make an impact in communities across the country. No matter where you live or how much time you have to volunteer, there’s a way to make a difference!
Volunteer:
Give your time and talents to bake and deliver homemade cakes, cupcakes, or cookies: Sign up at https://www.cake4kids.org/volunteer
Help with fundraising, events, web development, or Salesforce development: contact Cake4Kids at info@cake4kids.org.
Donate:
Make a financial gift to Cake4Kids and help fund the work to positively impact underserved youth
Spread the word:
Liz: Anything else you'd like to add?
Alison: Cake4Kids has been delivering hope and smiles to youth since 2010. We’re an ever-growing nonprofit with chapters coast to coast, each with a thriving community of volunteers, supporters, partners, and more. We joke that we’re small but mighty! Our core team is 8 staff and we work on everything from strategy to social media, agency partnerships to fundraising, and volunteer recruiting to decorating emergencies. With a small team, everyone wears many hats! But we couldn’t do this work without the support of our chapter ambassadors and our operations volunteers! Our Ambassadors volunteer to lead each Cake4Kids region and help build a thriving community of volunteers and supporters in local communities, assist in fundraising, and build and manage agency partnerships. They are a key part of our organization! We also have a team of over 100 operations volunteers who help with local events, social media, tech support, and volunteer support in their chapters.
Liz: Do you have a favorite quote or piece of advice to leave us with?
Alison: Our favorite quotes come from the youth who receive our service. Their words inspire our work and remind us all how a seemingly simple gift makes a difference.
“Birthdays are bittersweet for me ever since I was younger and when I received this cake as a surprise from my team I began to cry. The cake was decorated with everything I like, and the cake tasted amazing. I am so thankful for people like you and thank you for making my birthday special again. I enjoyed sharing my cake with the other kids in here and with the staff that care for us as well. Thank you again." - Adrian
Cake4Kids gives bakers the sweet gift of helping others and treats to those who need them
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Across the country -- and here in Chicago -- there is an army of bakers.
Their mission? To put smiles on the faces of kids going through rough times.
The bakers are part of a nationwide organization called Cake4Kids. The Chicago chapter recently delivered its 1,000th cake. CBS 2 met one of the bakers as she was making her latest treat.
Lisa Swanson is making a birthday cake for a child she will never meet. "This particular young lady wanted basketball, so I decided to make it look like a basketball."
Swanson is a volunteer baker for Cake4Kids. It's a national network of bakers who make treats for children in difficult circumstances like those in foster care. "That's a need that needs to get filled, and I'm happy to do a teeny tiny part," Swanson said.
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Across the country -- and here in Chicago -- there is an army of bakers.
Their mission?
To put smiles on the faces of kids going through rough times.
The bakers are part of a nationwide organization called Cake4Kids.
The Chicago chapter recently delivered its 1,000th cake. CBS 2 met one of the bakers as she was making her latest treat.
Lisa Swanson is making a birthday cake for a child she will never meet.
"This particular young lady wanted basketball, so I decided to make it look like a basketball."
Swanson is a volunteer baker for Cake4Kids.
It's a national network of bakers who make treats for children in difficult circumstances like those in foster care.
"That's a need that needs to get filled, and I'm happy to do a teeny tiny part," Swanson said.
For privacy reasons, Swanson doesn't know the complete identity of the little girl who will get this cake, but Swanson's ok with that.
"I just always have a feeling that there's a kid out there, and I see him smiling; that's what I take out there," Swanson said.
There are photographs of kids who received a special treat made for them from a baker, just like Swanson.
"They don't have much, and I can just do a little bit; that's what makes me feel good," Swanson said.
Cake4Kids started in California in 2010.
The founder heard about a foster kid who finally had her own birthday cake after not getting one for years.
The bakers pay for all their supplies themselves, so it's not just a donation of time but resources as well.
Swanson takes her cake to Arden Shore Child and Family Services in Waukegan.
The organization helps about 2,000 children.
It would be hard to do it themselves, so they rely on Cake4Kids to make birthdays special.
"It would be impossible for us to deliver it to the families," said Dora Maya, President of Arden Shore.
"I've seen smiles. I've seen tears. Overall, it's joy," added Arden Shore Placement Case Worker Brittney Kirkwood.
After dropping off the cake, Swanson heads back home to make another one for a child she will never meet.
"They may not get a cake from anyone else, but they'll get a cake from me," Swanson said.
Program matches volunteer bakers with kids in need to gift birthday cakes
The Cake 4 Kids program matches volunteer bakers with foster children and at-risk youth to gift free birthday cakes.
NBC News Chicago: The Cake4Kids program matches volunteer bakers with foster children and at-risk youth to gift free birthday cakes.
Cake4Kids delivers its 1,000 cake for underserved children in Monterey County
SEASIDE, Calif. (KION) - Cake4Kids is spreading smiles to underserved kids and frosting to cakes in Monterey County. On Tuesday, the non-profit delivered its 1,000 cakes.
"Kids need to know that they're loved and valued, and I think that's what these cakes are doing," says Jen Ibarra, the volunteer ambassador for Cake4Kids.
Cake4Kids says it's the little things that mean the world to kids who don't grow up with the simple luxuries in life.
SEASIDE, Calif. (KION) - Cake4Kids is spreading smiles to underserved kids and frosting to cakes in Monterey County. On Tuesday, the non-profit delivered its 1,000 cakes.
"Kids need to know that they're loved and valued, and I think that's what these cakes are doing," says Jen Ibarra, the volunteer ambassador for Cake4Kids
Cake4Kids says it's the little things that mean the world to kids who don't grow up with the simple luxuries in life.
"On the surface, it's just sugar, right? It's just a cake. But I guarantee you it's way more than that to these kids," said Ibarra.
The Monterey chapter for Cake4Kids started back in 2020.
"A lot of these kids are in situations where they might be left behind and forgotten. And to have one day where someone recognizes you and cares about you and to know that a complete stranger went out of their way to do something special for you that really makes a difference in these kids' lives," said Alison Bakewell, the executive director for Cake4Kids.
The 1,000th cake is going to Walter Turner's daughter who is turning 12.
"I appreciate what the shelters done for us and everything they have on remain for us," said Walter Turner,
He and his daughter are staying at the Casa De Noche Buena Shelter in Seaside.
"I think it's God's blessing just to live another day. So when I look at my daughter and how beautiful she's growing and how. Well, she's adapting towards life. I think that that's god's blessing and blessing wisdom upon her and upon our family," said Turner.
These cakes are not the generic ones you pick up at a grocery store.
Members of the non-profit do some digging on what flavor the person they are celebrating likes and then it is made by volunteer bakers like Claire, who had the honor of baking the 1,000th cake.
"I was really shocked when they called and said, this is going to be the thousandth cake. I mean, because there are at least a hundred bakers in the group, you know. so I was excited to do it for this child today," said Claire.
"It just feels amazing that that's 1000 kids who have felt that love in their community," said Ibarra.
Jen says they are always looking for more bakers. They get about 30 to 40 requests for cakes a month, so if you're interested you can contact Cakes4kids.
Jen also tells us they are always looking to partner with local agencies as well to hand out more cakes to children.
Delivering birthday cakes to underserved youth with Cake4Kids
DC News Now showcases Cake4Kids Northern Virginia and shares the impact of our service for underserved youth.
DC News Now showcases Cake4Kids Northern Virginia and shares the impact of our service for underserved youth.
Birthday Cakes for Kids Living in Shelters
American Voices Podcast with Senator Bill Bradley
The Cake4Kids interview begins at 27:28
Baking Changing Lives into Your Business Model
In this episode, Dan Winter and Amy Vodarek discuss how Cake4Kids makes birthdays memorable for kids across the U.S.
Allison Bakewell is the executive director for Cake4Kids, a multistate volunteer-powered organization that delivers free custom birthday cakes to at-risk children and youth around the country.
Cake4Kids' unique business model ensures birthday cakes are baked and delivered to kids in foster care, kinship care, group homes, survivors of domestic violence and human trafficking, and those living in low-income housing with or without parents, or experiencing homelessness.
By Dan Winter and Amy Vodarek
April 6, 2023
In this episode, Dan Winter and Amy Vodarek discuss how Cake4Kids makes birthdays memorable for kids across the U.S.
Allison Bakewell is the executive director for Cake4Kids, a multistate volunteer-powered organization that delivers free custom birthday cakes to at-risk children and youth around the country.
Cake4kids' unique business model ensures birthday cakes are baked and delivered to kids in foster care, kinship care, group homes, survivors of domestic violence and human trafficking, and those living in low-income housing with or without parents, or experiencing homelessness.
Originally a volunteer baker, Alison realized she could be more valuable in operations and in helping to scale up the whole organization. While expanding rapidly to cities across the country, she found that the most important thing is finding the balance between growing more, preserving the organization’s ethos, and ensuring they have the right leaders and volunteers to create new chapters and ensure they thrive.
‘’Our mission is to make the child happy with the cake and give the baker a seamless volunteer experience. ‘’
Alison is looking at the horizon of new possibilities. The company started with 13 cakes in its first year and has grown to make 12,000 kids smile with their custom birthday cakes. Cake4kids is developing the infrastructure, processes, funding, and membership to deliver 50,000 cakes per year.
‘’I definitely see kids who have had birthday cakes and are now in a situation where they don't get one. So they know the importance of someone remembering their day and making a big deal about them, celebrating them. And then you have kids who have never had a birthday cake. We've had 22-year-olds who've never had a birthday cake in their entire life. And the first time they get it, it's like, ‘Wow, someone cared enough to take the time out of their day to do something for me. They don't even know me; I must be special if someone's willing to do that for me.“
Resources mentioned in this episode:
Check out Cake4kids here: https://www.cake4kids.org/
If you’re interested in starting Cake4Kids in your area, learn how to Start a Chapter!
Icing on the Cake: Local group helps make children’s birthdays special
Many organizations deliver flowers, fruit, packages and personal messages, but one in Northern Virginia delivers love – along with cakes.
Libby Gruender founded Cake4Kids in California 13 years ago to provide homemade cakes to local children on their birthdays. Volunteers expanded the nonprofit across the state, baking and delivering cakes to children who otherwise might not have one.
Cake4Kids partners with schools, agencies and individuals to serve children who are in foster care, low-income homes or experiencing homelessness or other difficulties.
Fair Oaks resident Mary Campbell read about the organization while looking for more to do close to home. “For a lot of these children, it may be the first cake they ever received,” she said.
For Campbell’s kids, volunteering was essential when her husband was an active Navy captain and they were moving frequently. “It's a great way to help them have roots, which is hard when you're a military child.”
She asked Cake4Kids leadership if she could start a chapter in Virginia. After more than a year of logistics and paperwork, Campbell founded Cake4Kids Northern Virginia in April 2019, the first chapter outside of California.
By Jaya Patil/For InsideNoVa
April 6, 2023
Christopher was very impressed with his birthday cake.
Many organizations deliver flowers, fruit, packages and personal messages, but one in Northern Virginia delivers love – along with cakes.
Libby Gruender founded Cake4Kids in California 13 years ago to provide homemade cakes to local children on their birthdays. Volunteers expanded the nonprofit across the state, baking and delivering cakes to children who otherwise might not have one.
Cake4Kids partners with schools, agencies and individuals to serve children who are in foster care, low-income homes or experiencing homelessness or other difficulties.
Fair Oaks resident Mary Campbell read about the organization while looking for more to do close to home. “For a lot of these children, it may be the first cake they ever received,” she said.
For Campbell’s kids, volunteering was essential when her husband was an active Navy captain and they were moving frequently. “It's a great way to help them have roots, which is hard when you're a military child.”
She asked Cake4Kids leadership if she could start a chapter in Virginia. After more than a year of logistics and paperwork, Campbell founded Cake4Kids Northern Virginia in April 2019, the first chapter outside of California.
One of the cakes made by volunteer baker Phyllis Maggio, one of the 30 Cake4Kids volunteers in Prince William County.
The chapter now has more than 600 volunteers and has partnered with over 100 local agencies. Cake4Kids Northern Virginia has baked some 3,600 cakes since 2019, with over 200 cakes in January alone. Each of those cakes has affected at least one child.
“[Families] don't have to choose between paying a bill and celebrating their child's birthday. We make that possible for them,” Campbell said.
Volunteers involve their families, too. Campbell’s husband, Bill, and their adult sons, Tyler and Nolan, complete deliveries sometimes.
Volunteer Farah Syed joined Cake4Kids at the start of 2020 after moving from New York to Ashburn. She was looking for ways to get involved in her new community when she saw Cake4Kids on Facebook.
She dove into baking when she left her teaching career. “Once I had my daughter, I had to put a lot of things aside, but baking was always there,” she said. “That helped me when I was not teaching.”
When her son was born, she was too busy to bake, but Cake4Kids brought it back to her.
For some volunteers, baking is their forte. Bristow resident Phyllis Maggio bakes for local school shows and events and crochets for charities when she’s not volunteering for Cake4Kids. For others, it’s one way to help.
But volunteers do not need to be expert bakers or commit to a certain number of hours, although Cake4Kids will reimburse bakers up to $100 a year for classes.
“We put a lot of pressure on ourselves because we want to deliver the most amazing thing … but [the kids are] happy … if their name is on it, it’s all theirs, and they picked it,” Campbell said.
“It seems like a very simple thing,” she added: a cake for a kid. But Cake4Kids’ impact extends from volunteers to their families, from kids to their case workers, and more.
“It’s not only me, it’s the whole community getting together and making this one child’s day,” Syed said.
Maggio noted that at a minimum just a box of mix and some icing will remind a child that they matter. “It costs you nothing to be kind, but it might be worth everything to the person you help.”
Syed said that by providing the cakes, the organization builds children’s self-confidence and sense of belonging in a community.
“The main goal is to make sure that all children are feeling loved and special,” she said. ““No matter what you’re going through, someone is caring about you.”