COMMUNITY HEROES: CAKE4KIDS
By: Ibis Teasdale | July 8, 2021
Once upon a time Marie Antoinette said, “Let them eat cake,” and so we do. We eat cakes for graduations, baby showers, holidays and birthdays!
I have vivid memories of my birthday cakes as a child: freshly baked by my grandmother or my mother, decorated with flowers collected from the garden, and made special just for me. Many years I requested a blackberry cobbler and, being a summer birthday, my wish was granted with freshly picked berries and homemade crust. One time my sister wanted a barbie cake and my mom spent the time to figure it out, complete with the pink icing skirt!
Now, as a mother, I’ve baked each of my kids’ cakes: six so far in this role. This is a special tradition that I hope to carry on for as long as they’ll let me, despite my limited baking skills.
In Marin and our surrounding counties, there are many children who are not as fortunate. There are many parents who have to choose food or heat instead of something as decadent as a cake. Some children have never had a birthday cake—they don’t have the luxury. So, Cake4Kids decided that needed to change: every child deserves to have a birthday cake for their special day!
If the birthday kid wants Olaf, that’s possible. If they prefer brownies, their wish is granted. And if their favorite superhero is SpiderMan, the cake can have a fun web design with red and blue!
I spoke with the Marin County Coordinator of Cake4kids, Barbara Cupper, and learned so much more about this amazing organization. I learned that they work with local social services to identify children who could use a special birthday treat. And, I learned that Cake4Kids doesn’t just bake for birthdays; they celebrate graduations and sometimes a “just because'' treat for a child who could use a special surprise. Because, sometimes a little treat is just what is needed after a tough week.
For anyone who is interested in becoming a baker with Cake4Kids, it’s a very flexible way to volunteer as often as you’re interested and available. Barbara says, “You can volunteer at your leisure; there’s no commitment. Whenever it is convenient for you, there’s no minimum time to commit.”
So, if you’re having a busy month, you can skip their emails. Or, if you have some extra time on your hands, you can read their email about available cakes to bake and make a commitment.
“The thing that is so fun about being a volunteer is that there are some kids who do not have a birthday cake expected, and they have never had a birthday cake. The cakes all arrive in a bakery box with a fancy sticker to make it look really official. It shows up like a present,” says Barbara.
She adds, “The families who receive the cakes are so delighted! You can just imagine how many smiles it brings to a household when a special cake is delivered.”
“Some of the cakes are jaw-dropping. The volunteers spend many hours making these extra-special. And, it’s a great thing to do with your kids: they can stir the bowl, help decorate, and even help to drop it off.”
Barbara shares her personal passion of baking, which is typically reserved for her friends and family, by creating these special treats and memories for children in need. She says, “I love that it makes people happy when I show up with a cake.”
And although life is all kinds of hectic around my house these days, I still find the time to make a cake for my own kids on their special day, usually with their pleading to taste all the ingredients and of course lick the spoons as they “help” in the kitchen.
So, in the spirit of delicious cakes, special treats, and just because, I’m signing up to make at least one other child in Marin have a special dessert for their special day. And, who knows, maybe they’ll request a cobbler which gives me a good reason to pick some local blackberries with my kids!
Ibis Teasdale Wells is a native to Marin, mom of two young boys, and an educator. She enjoys all things local: hikes, wines and cheeses! After teaching elementary school for over 10 years, Ibis has a deep passion for books and reading, which is why she’s loved working on the book list since 2018. Ibis can be reached at Teasdale15@gmail.com