So it’s 2021 and though I don’t usually do New Year’s resolutions, as we gleefully closed the year of H-E-[double hockey sticks], I felt it was time to set new goal for myself.

I’ve always loved the idea of baking every recipe in a cookbook, Julie and Julia style. That coupled with binging the Great British Baking show and an extreme increase in my time at home, I found myself with the motivation to finish all the recipes in one of my favorite books, Pie In the Sky, by Susan G. Purdy.

One my first recipes of 2021- Cranberry Walnut Scones

I would have 47 recipes to complete over the next year- nearly a recipe per week, which teeters between a little crazy but also doable for someone who legitimately uses baking as a mental health therapy.

But as I contemplated what I was going to do with piles of cake and dessert, my very smart and community-minded friend (thank you Bethany!) suggested finding a way to share my treats and raise money for charity along the way. The idea percolated in my brain for a few days and I just loved the idea having some purpose behind my 2021 goal while doing some good along the way. Thus the “Perpetual Bake Sale” idea was born.

Here’s How It’s Going to Work:

  • Once a month, I will be trying out 1-2 recipes in the Pie In the Sky book and offering portions for sale.
  • You can either come by and pick up the items at my house or I may be able to do limited number of deliveries if you live in the Gresham/East County area.
  • 100% of the proceeds will be going to the charity I select for the month. They will be organizations that I have a personal connection with and are doing great work. If you’re interested in some of the upcoming charities I will be supporting, you can find a short list here.
  • If you don’t want to actually eat the treats (I realize my New Year’s resolution may undo many others resolutions!), you can donate your portion and I will deliver it to hungry domestic violence advocates, nurses, or foster/adoptive parents in the Gresham/Portland area.
  • I will take payments through Venmo or cash/check at pickup or delivery (message me and I will get you the details). Most of the details are going to be communicated through Facebook and Instagram.
  • I would also gladly take any donations to go toward ingredients and expenses if anyone is so inclined!
  • Prices for items are not predetermined- you can choose how much you would like to contribute. Just keep in mind that whatever you choose to give is going to a great cause!

COVID-19 Precautions:

  • The baked goods will be made in my clean kitchen with very clean hands and only when my entire household is healthy.
  • Pick up/drop off will be done with no contact and wearing a mask.
  • I have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 personally and we intend to get the rest of the adults in our family vaccinated as soon as it is readily available.

Disclaimers:

  • I do not cook in an allergy-free kitchen. I use dairy, nuts, gluten, sugar, etc. If you have allergies, I would suggest joining in by donating funds or gifting treats to others. I won’t be able to modify the recipes for dietary restrictions- sorry!
  • I often get asked to make decorated cakes/cupcakes but I will not be able to do any of these for the bake sale. They are fun but very time-consuming. I still have a full-time job and I would like to, you know, sleep sometimes.
  • If you want to make a tax-deductible donation, you will have to donate directly to the charity of the month since I don’t have my own non-profit. But please let me know if I inspired your donation so I can keep track of how much we have raised!
  • I do not have a business or a commercial kitchen- this is all just going to be sharing my homemade goods amongst friends.
  • If your values do not line up with the charity of the month that I chosen, please don’t take personal offense and tell me all about it. I hope that it will just inspire you to find an organization that you care about and give generously to. This project is all about inspiring generosity and making change- let’s keep it positive, shall we?

This is a just an experiment really, but I have a goal of raising at least $400 per month for charity- $4,800 for the whole year. I also reserve the right respectfully bow out if I’m getting too overwhelmed. I’ll keep you posted on how I’m managing it all. But hopefully my crazy baking schemes will lead to some positivity amongst all the pain and chaos in this season of life!

“I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the water to create many ripples.”

Mother Teresa