Hey Besties! September is Childhood Cancer Awareness month and I’m sharing what our family is doing to support this cause. This year, we are offering beautiful caramel cupcakes for a cure with all proceeds being donated to the CURE Childhood Cancer organization. Last year, we offered cancer ribbon cookies with all proceeds split between going to our son’s care and the Make-A-Wish Foundation. We LOVE being able to use our baking skills and business to make an impact in our world. Perhaps there is a cause that is near and dear to your heart? If so, I highly encourage you to use your baking skills to make a difference! Read on to learn how having a heart-driven business pays off in so many ways!
Our Why
If you’re not already aware, our son, Owen, is currently undergoing Leukemia treatment. As you can imagine, his diagnosis last June blew up our whole world and changed everything. I’m happy to report that he is in remission, doing great but still has another 15 months of treatment left. Beating leukemia is a LONG journey but we live one day a time, focus on the joy every day and have faith he will live a long, healthy, happy life.
No family, especially a child, should have to endure what Owen and our family has. This is the primary reason many of our charitable efforts now focus on supporting families touched by childhood cancer and finding a cure. But even before Owen’s diagnosis, we used our cottage business to help support causes that were important to our family. Not only does it make you feel great to support worthy causes, but it can be a great way to grow your business and expand your reach as well. Obviously, supporting the cause is the primary goal but communities love to support local businesses making a difference. WIN-WIN!
Charitable Bake Sales
Hear me out, I know times are tough, expenses are higher than ever and giving away profits is not always possible. However, you also need to decide what kind of business you want to run and how you want to be positioned in your community. Cottage bakery businesses are primarily local and community-based, with a few exceptions of states that can ship. For this reason, adding a charitable or fundraising aspect to your business can be a very smart business strategy. In additional to supporting the cause and all the warm fuzzies you feel, communities want to support local businesses doing good things. Especially if there is a family or local cause that needs help right now, you have an opportunity to help while greatly expanding your reach!
Perhaps there is an organization, cause or family needing support locally or on a greater scale. Determine what percentage of proceeds you can afford to donate. Reach out to this cause and let them know you want to run a bake sale to support them. They’ll be thrilled to have your support and will also be happy to help promote your sale. You can run your sale the same as a traditional pre-sale and after the sale is over, make your donation, feel great about how you were able to help and enjoy the increased exposure in your community!
Cupcakes For A Cure
In our case, we’ll be donating all proceeds to the CURE Childhood Cancer org, which is doing amazing things to advance research and support families affected by pediatric cancer.
Since we’re currently still in love with our latest fall cookie recipe, HERE, we decided to use this same secret ingredient for these cupcakes! Simply add THIS to your cupcakes and/or buttercream frosting for as subtle or strong of a flavor as desired! A little goes a LONG way with these super strength flavors, so keep that in mind. For more on baking with emulsions, extracts and super strength flavors, THIS post will help.
WHO Can You Help?
Everyone wins when we support each other and be generous in our communities. Not only does this give you the opportunity to support causes that are meaningful to you, but your community will thank you for it. WIN-WIN! You can do this for any type of fundraising, causes and organizations that are important to you! I urge you to determine how you can make a difference in your corner of the world with your baking skills!
Join our private Facebook group to share causes you have supported to inspire others! You can join HERE.
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I am so grateful for your blog post.Really thank you! Cool.