Birthday Cakes for Kids Living in Shelters

American Voices Podcast with Senator Bill Bradley

The Cake4Kids interview begins at 27:28

Senator Bill Bradley · The music of Peter One! Plus, birthday cakes for kids living in shelters

Volunteer bakers, donations needed to fulfill birthday cake wishes of underprivileged children

By Jennifer Franco
July 28, 2022 9:15 PM

Cake4Kids is in need of volunteers and donations as it prepares for the busier fall months.

The non-profit organization provides cakes for underprivileged children who may not normally receive a cake for special occasions.

“We not only bake cakes for the birthdays and graduations, but certainly as holidays come up if the agencies have a need they’re going to throw some parties or a fundraiser, we’ll also bake for those occasions as well,” said Ray Biller, Ambassador for the Coachella Valley Cake4Kids chapter.

Cake4Kids works with several partner agencies that deliver homemade cakes directly to children, after they are baked entirely for free by volunteers.

These agencies include Olive Crest, CFLC Sheltering Palms Foster Family Agency, Barbara Sinatra Children's Center, The Boys and Girls Club in Cathedral City, and Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Desert, among others.

“In earlier years in my career I worked with at-risk youth, with children in disadvantaged homes and communities, so I felt I’ve been missing that and this was a perfect opportunity for me to connect with them and give back,”said Elizabeth Campos, a volunteer baker with Cake4Kids.

Elizabeth Campos, Cake4Kids volunteer baker

Cake baked by Elizabeth Campos

The non-profit launched locally in March 2022 and has been well-received since then, according to Ray Biller, Ambassador for the Coachella Valley Cake4Kids chapter.

“When I first started seeing if there was really a need out here in the valley I wasn’t quite sure what I’d find, but I was a little overwhelmed by what we discovered,” said Biller.

“I discovered that 60% of the kids in the school districts out here in the valley live underneath the poverty line,” he added.

Cake4Kids is holding its first fundraiser in the Coachella Valley on Wednesday, August 17 at One Eleven Bar in Cathedral City. Anyone interested in the event is invited to attend.

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Cake4Kids on NBC Palm Springs

Thalia Hayden from NBC Palm Springs recently interviewed Cake4Kids’ Coachella Valley Ambassador, Ray Biller, about Cake4Kids! Check out the interview below!

If the video below doesn’t work, you can view it here.

Now that takes the cake — to underserved kids

By Mike De Felice For the Review
June 25, 2022 1:30 am

Underprivileged children associated with family shelters, the foster system, domestic violence or human trafficking agencies, or food banks are among those who receive birthday cakes from Cake4Kids. (Courtesy photo)

Swirling pink, purple and blue frosting on the unicorn cake was a huge hit when an 8-year-old Bainbridge Island girl opened her eyes and saw the colorful creation at her birthday celebration.

The mother of the second-grader beamed and said, “She was super excited to see all the colors, candles and decorations. It was a blessing.”

Designs on the unicorn cake were so impressive that they led to a tiff between family members. “The family got into an argument over what was the best way to cut the cake to preserve the decorations, but we all knew we wanted to eat it!” the mom laughed.

Leading up to her daughter’s birthday party, the single mom of two girls, who found herself stressed and strapped for cash, turned to Cake4Kids for help. The nonprofit has volunteer bakers who make special treats for children who otherwise may go without a birthday cake on their special day.

“At Cake4Kids, we say that no child should go without a birthday cake,” said Dawn Snider, Kitsap County lead for the nonprofit. “We all grew up getting birthday cakes every year, and we remember. We don’t realize there are children in our neighborhood and our community that may have never had a birthday cake. Our mission is to bring joy to these children.”

The nonprofit works with agencies serving youth to locate kids who could use a birthday surprise. Underprivileged children associated with family shelters, the foster system, domestic violence or human trafficking agencies, or food banks are among those benefited by Cake4Kids, Snider noted.

Once a service agency selects a young candidate, the group puts out the referral to its volunteer bakers who pull out their mixing pans and heat up their ovens. Goodies whipped up by chefs include birthday cakes, cupcakes, cookies and brownies. “It’s whatever the child requests,” said Snider, of BI.

Bakers often create theme cakes – examples include dinosaurs, skateboarding and popular movies like Disney’s “Frozen.”

A baker who accepts a job is responsible for buying all the ingredients and getting the finished product to the referring agency. “For privacy concerns, we never see or meet the child,” Snider pointed out. “While they don’t meet the client, oftentimes the volunteer baker gets a thank-you card and sometimes gets a picture of the smiling child with the cake.”

Volunteer bakers

Cake4Kids began in California in 2010 and has expanded to 40 chapters across 11 states. The nonprofit expanded to Kitsap County last fall. Agencies wishing to make referrals can contact Snider at dawn@cake4kids.org. Volunteer bakers can go to cake4kids.org.

Cakes4Kids has 14 bakers in Kitsap County. The group primarily is active in North Kitsap, Snider said, but the group is looking to expand to the central and south county and is looking for volunteers in those areas. “Our bakers are people who love to bake, have the time and love helping children,” Snider said.

Local bakers range from a scientist and a counselor to people in marketing and the tech field. Retirees also have signed up. They all learn in the process.

“[Our bakers] have some competency in the basic ability to decorate cakes but you don’t have to be a professional. Like myself, I can do basic decorating, but I thought it would be fun to learn how to be a better decorator,” Snider said.

Bakers sign up to make as many desserts as they want. “Some bakers are very active and bake one or two times a month. Others do one or two a year,” she said.

Kim Fox of Bainbridge Island has been a Cake4Kids volunteer baker for several months.

“My grandmother made me decorated cakes growing up,” Fox said. “I have fond memories of that. Now, I’m addicted to watching YouTube videos to learn about cake decorating.”

Fox, a retired software executive, finds her volunteer kitchen work satisfying. “I feel good about delivering a cake. It’s not like writing a check — this is much more personal,” said Fox, who recently finished making a Sonic the Hedgehog cake for a lucky child.

Dawn Snider of Cake4Kids: “Our bakers are people who love to bake, have the time, and love helping children.” (Courtesy photo)

Dawn Snider of Cake4Kids: “Our bakers are people who love to bake, have the time, and love helping children.” (Courtesy photo)

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Cakes celebrate milestones for kids in shelters, foster care

Cake4Kids volunteer baker Tina Sampson was recently highlighted as an Everyday Hero by ABC Denver7! Watch Denver7’s segment about Tina and Cake4Kids below!

By: Kevin S. Krug
Posted at 10:15 PM, Jun 19, 2022
and last updated 6:49 AM, Jun 20, 2022

It takes a lot of practice to become an expert cake decorator. Luckily for the bakers who are part of the Northern Colorado chapter of Cake4Kids, they have bakers like Tina Sampson to help give them a hand.

ARVADA, Colo. – It takes a lot of practice to become an expert cake decorator. Luckily for the bakers who are part of the Northern Colorado chapter of Cake4Kids, they have bakers like Tina Sampson to help give them a hand.

Over the last year and a half, the 300-plus bakers who are part of the chapter have made more than 1,000 cakes for kids who are in foster care, shelters and other programs where they might not always get a special cake for graduations, birthdays and other milestones.

Of those 1,000 cakes, Sampson has baked and decorated more than 30 herself.

“I think it doesn't hurt, right, to put a little extra love in what you're doing so that the kids can feel that too,” she said with a smile. “One of the cakes that I baked last year that I'll always remember was for a 5-year-old girl who was in a domestic abuse shelter. And I did get emotional when I was making her cake.”

There are more than 20 Cake4Kids chapters across the nation, but only one in Colorado right now. Executive Director Alison Bakewell said the volunteers put their own time, money, and love into what they baked because they know if the kids’ birthdays aren’t getting celebrated, there are probably other important milestones in their lives that aren’t getting celebrated either.

“What we're really trying to do is making sure that they know someone who doesn't even know them cares — that they're worth the time and effort a volunteer takes and puts into the cakes or cupcakes that they back,” she said.

• To learn how you can volunteer or donate to Cake4Kids, click here.

The kids who receive the cakes can request any flavor and any decoration. Sampson said cakes with swirled flavors and red velvet cakes are some of the most popular cakes being requested right now. Whatever the flavor, whatever the theme, Sampson puts a little something extra in it from her heart.

“I feel like the giving for me is also putting the love and the energy into the product so that the child receiving it might feel that energy and that love coming from the baker," she said.

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Get your bake on: Make and decorate a cake for an underserved youth

Winston Gieseke
Palm Springs Desert Sun

Does the thought of a child without a birthday cake make you sad? Do you enjoy baking and decorating cakes? Are you looking for an easy way to make a child feel special and loved on his or her birthday?

Consider becoming a volunteer baker for Cake4Kids.

Cake4Kids is an 11-year-old nonprofit currently active in 13 states plus the District of Columbia that provides free birthday cakes, cupcakes, cookies, brownies and other baked goods to underserved youth and foster children, ages 1-24.

As the organization's website says: "On the surface, a birthday cake may seem like a trivial gesture in supporting the at-risk children in our local communities, but every cake is a way to let the children know they are valued. For children who are victims of human trafficking, domestic abuse or neglect, receiving a personal birthday sweet helps to bolster their confidence and self-esteem and encourages them to keep on."

Southern California native Ray Biller recently started a Coachella Valley chapter of Cake4Kids and is looking for volunteers. The organization, which began this month, has already partnered with agencies such as the Barbara Sinatra Children's Center, Olive Crest, the East Valley LGBT Center and the Boys & Girls Club.

"This organization started up in the Bay area," Biller says. "In September 2010, a woman named Libby Gruender came up with the idea that every kid should have a cake for a special event. Sadly, she died three years after starting the program but her legacy carries on."

There are currently more than 800 Cake4Kids volunteers in the Bay Area.

While living in San Diego, Biller learned about the organization from his sister. "I love to cook and bake, and she said I would be perfect for this. Every time I dropped off one of my cakes, it felt good."

Volunteering is easy. All you need to do is sign up to make a specific dessert based on a request or theme, then bake and decorate on your schedule in the comfort of your own kitchen. When the sweets are complete, you deliver them to the local social services agency that requested them, Monday-Friday during business hours.

Volunteers do not have contact with the children they bake for.

There is no time commitment. Volunteers can bake one cake per year or 10.

Biller is passionate about the organization and its mission. "I grew up with birthday cakes every year on my birthday," he says, "and I always appreciated them, so I thought 'I need to be doing this for these kids as well.'"

Interesting in volunteering your baking skills? Cake4Kids will be hosting a local in-person volunteer orientation, which will last an hour to 90 minutes, on July 23. Learn more at cake4kids.org/volunteer

Questions? Email volcor@cake4kids.org.

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In brief: Let them eat cake

Produced By Kendall Balchan & Mark Talkington

Starting in June, the Coachella Valley will be home to a chapter of Cake4Kids, an organization that bakes and delivers free birthday cakes to underserved kids who might not otherwise get one.

Bringing back birthdays: When you’re a kid, the whole kid universe revolves around the winter holidays, Halloween, and your birthday.

• But for young people in underserved communities, those hallmarks of childhood may be missed.

The cause: Cake4Kids serves children from all walks of life, focusing on kids in foster care, in group homes, survivors of domestic violence or human trafficking, living in low-income housing with or without a parent, or even unhoused kids. 

Local impact: The soon-to-launch Coachella Valley chapter has so far partnered with the Barbara Sinatra Children's Center, Olivecrest Foster programs, The LGBT Center in East Valley, and the Boys and Girls Club.

What’s next: Now that the groundwork is laid, organizers are asking for volunteers who can help bake cakes, cupcakes, cookies, or brownies for these kids.

• Volunteers can choose how often and which cakes they want to bake.

For more information: Call Ray Biller, the Coachella Valley Ambassador for Cake4Kids at 760-671-0107 or reach out online here.

• Read more about how the organization got started in 2010 in the Bay Area.

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Sheryl's Good Deeds - Cake4Kids

Mix96 in Sacramento recently featured Cake4Kids in their Sheryl’s Good Deeds program. Sheryl interviewed Leigh Ann Higa, our Cake4Kids Sacramento Ambassador. Watch the video below!

We’ve teamed up with JustServe.org to motivate service in the Sacramento community! This week, we learn more about Cake4Kids, an amazing and compassionate group of volunteers who donate all the ingredients and supplies needed to bake birthday cakes for underserved kids who might not otherwise get one.

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Cake4Kids

On this Big Day of Giving, Jordan Segundo is with a local baker where they're helping kids on their birthday by baking birthday cakes! See how Cake4Kids are baking cakes for the kids in need.

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Cake4Kids brings dessert to underserved youth

Fairfax County Times
By Laura Scudder
January 14, 2022

Northern Virginia’s chapter has served nearly 2,000 cakes since 2019 

From birthdays to graduation celebrations, one organization has the cake covered for underserved youth. Cake4Kids in Northern Virginia partners with 80-90 agencies in the area, creating cakes for special events. After almost three years, they have about 500 volunteers who have all baked and delivered nearly 2,000 cakes. 

Cake4Kids was originally founded in California by Libby Gruender. Mary Campbell, the Cake4Kids ambassador for Northern Virginia, learned of the organization and reached out to see how she could become involved. 

Northern Virginia became the first chapter outside of California in 2019, and Campbell now works for the national organization in operations. 

“It’s gotten extremely big and busy quickly. We have just a great community here of people that want to help, and it’s just kind of blown up,” she explained, also saying that the company has expanded into other states. 

Campbell explained that the kids and youth range from 1-24 years old. She noted that this was due to the fact that the chapter followed California’s guidelines about what signifies the age of transition to adulthood. 

Campbell said that the children get to choose the flavor and theme of their cake — and it can be as elaborate or simple as they wish. Bakers will then sign up to bake and deliver the cake. 

“Our bakers, who are tremendous … a lot of them will watch and see if there’s cakes still sitting there, and they’re hell-bent on making sure that every child gets their cake and that we don’t cancel,” she said. “I’ll get emails that say ‘Don’t cancel that cake, I’ll take it’ … Here in Northern Virginia, we have never canceled on a child. So we’ve delivered every single one and the bakers are very supportive of each other.”  

While she credits all the bakers for being creative and taking great care with each cake, Campbell said that she has seen some truly amazing designs — including a cake that looked like a bowl of baked beans.  

In general, Cake4Kids will ask for about two weeks to bake a cake, though they have pulled things together sooner. For Campbell, baking for as many people as possible is important. 

“I think that is one of the biggest rewards for me to know that we’re helping families and we’re bringing smiles to the children. We’re making a lot of kids happy,” she said. 

Those looking to volunteer can go to the website to sign up — and all levels of baking experience are welcome, Campbell noted. 

She said that not everyone can make a baked bean cake, but if you have basic decorating abilities the help is welcome. All bakers provide their own ingredients and materials. 

“We do reimburse our bakers up to $100 a year on decorating classes. A lot of our bakers, take cookie decorating and cake decorating, and things like that. So even … if you don’t feel you’re at that level, a lot of baker’s start at cookies and brownies and cupcakes and work their way up to the cakes and take classes in between. So we’re happy to have all abilities,” Campbell explained. 

She also noted that the caseworkers do their best to provide feedback from the celebrations and that sometimes bakers receive thank you notes from the children themselves. 

Link to article.

Smiles and Birthday Cakes

Comcast Newsmaker
By Emily Gyure
Thursday, April 21, 2022

Helping to bring smiles & birthday cakes is the goal of Cake4Kids who bakes and delivers free birthday cakes for underserved children who might not otherwise receive one. These individual customized cakes remind children how special they really are.

Hosted By: Ellee Pai Hong

Produces By: Greater Chicago Newsmaker Team

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Organization provides birthday cake for children who would otherwise go without

KMTV 3 News Now Omaha
By Mary Nelson
Wednesday, February 2, 2022

OMAHA, Neb. (KMTV) — For kids in foster care, who are living in group homes, are homeless, or have survived the unimaginable, birthday cake may not be top-of-mind.

But at Cake4Kids, it's understood how powerful that can be.

The organization has 20 chapters nationwide. Stacy Newmaster became the Omaha area's Cake4Kids ambassador last year.

Speaking about the impact the program has on children's lives, she said, "It puts a smile on their face and it gives them the self-esteem that somebody cares. It may not be anybody that they know, but somebody does care."

The organization works with partners including foster care agencies, homeless and domestic violence shelters and refugee organizations, which all make sure the cakes get to the children.

Last year, Cake4Kids received more than 8,800 requests nationwide. By adding chapters, like Omaha's, they hope to serve more children in 2022.

"Some of our volunteers are cottage bakers," Newmaster said. "Even ones that own bakeries are allowed to help out, too, or be volunteers. So it's just anybody and everybody."

In addition to volunteers, Newmaster would like to connect with local children's organizations and agencies. For that, and to donate to Cake4Kids, visit cake4kids.org.

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Baking birthday cakes for kids who otherwise would have none

CBS 2 Idaho News
By Brent Hunsaker
Wednesday, November 24, 2021

Can you bake? Then volunteer to bake birthday cakes for children in foster care or shelters! https://t.co/usLzIXO3uK pic.twitter.com/0hct4qjLcT

— Brent Hunsaker (@BrentKBOI) November 24, 2021

This birthday cake was presented to Interfaith Sanctuary's Family Shelter for a 6-year-old girl's birthday. Cake4Kids volunteers will bake a cake for any child in foster care or in shelters in the Treasure Valley.

NAMPA, Idaho (CBS 2) — “The cake we’re baking today is for a young girl who is six,” explained Mabry Brice, a volunteer baker with Cake4Kids.

Mabry Brice starts with a cake mix. No sin with that. But beyond the usual eggs and oil, Mabry adds her own touches such as milk instead of water and a 2/3 cup of sour cream. She said, “It just helps to enhance the flavors.”

The bakers donate both time and materials. There’s no reimbursement for the ingredients. Everything they use to make the cakes comes out of their own pantry and is paid for with their own money.

“I have five kids. And I love kids. So, to make a kid happy is kind of what I live for.”

The program impressed Courtney DeYager, a foster mom who recently got a cake for one of the girls in her care. “On the one hand, it’s just a cake,” said Courtney. “But on the other hand, you open up that box and this kiddo’s face lights up because their name is spelled out in icing with ‘Happy Birthday’ and figurines that they asked for. It’s really special.”

Cake4Kids volunteers receive a $500 Pay It Forward from Angela Phillips with Mountain America Credit Union.

Courtney nominated Cake4Kids for a Pay It Forward.

Receiving the $500 donation from Angela Phillips with Mountain America Credit Union were Tracy Privari and Gwen Clark, the Cake4Kids ambassadors in the Treasure Valley. They started the Treasure Valley chapter back in February.

Gwen said, “I’m the behind-the-scenes girl. I’m helping partner with the agencies and I’m helping recruit bakers.”

In just a short time, Gwen and Tracy have signed on more than 100 bakers. “And we could use more,” said Tracy. “You have to have more bakers than you’re ever going to have requests. So that’s why we’re always recruiting volunteers.”

No back to Mabry’s cake. After sitting overnight in the freezer, it’s ready for the frosting and the decorations. For that, she’s enlisted her 17-year-old daughter, Amberly. She will create the princess, flowers, and other features that will “wow” the birthday girl.

Mother and daughter both took a class in cake design, but Mabry admits her daughter is the artist.

The next day, the cake is delivered to the Interfaith Sanctuary in Boise. Carla Velez, the family shelter program supervisor said, “We love Cake4Kids. Basically, it allows them to be home, to feel that they are important, not just for their parents and family, but also for the entire program. They get to share this with other kids in our program, with other families. It gets the kids out of their rooms. They get together in the dining room and share. I think that’s the most important thing: Being able to have access to these delicious cakes every month.”

COVID and privacy concerns prevent Mabry from giving the cake directly to the child or even seeing the birthday party. Still, the satisfaction of a cake well made and just knowing how it will make that child smile is reward enough. Mabry told us, “It’s not about the recognition. It’s just about knowing that someone is happy cakes make everyone happy.”

If you would like to join the ranks of Cake4Kids volunteers, just click here.

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'Everybody deserves a smile on their birthday' | These volunteer bakers are making sure every child's birthday is special

WUSA9 Washington, D.C.
By Marcella Robertson
Wednesday, November 3, 2021 6:51 am EDT (Updated November 3, 2021 8:31 am EDT)

Hundreds of people in Virginia bake free cakes for children who may not otherwise get a cake on their birthday. They are part of the non-profit, Cake4Kids.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — Some of the smallest things we take for granted can mean the world to someone else. Something as simple as a birthday cake.

Cake4Kids is a non-profit organization that originally started in California. But when Mary Campbell heard about their mission, she knew she had to bring it to Northern Virginia.

"It really struck me that there are children out there that don't get birthday cakes. It struck me as a mom too, it must be awful to not be able to get your child a cake," said Campbell, who brought the organization to Virginia in 2019.

The non-profit partners with organizations that help children. They provide cakes free of cost for children on their birthday or if they are celebrating a big accomplishment. The organization started with a focus mainly on children in foster care. Over the years they have expanded to help children who are refugees, or even those in domestic violence shelters.

"Really any place where a child hasn't had the best start in life, we deliver birthday cakes to them," said Julie Eades, with the California Cake4Kids chapter.

It's National Volunteer Week, a time to appreciate the power of volunteer service & celebrate our volunteer bakers 👩‍🍳💫Thanks to all who've donated money, time, or goods to Cake4Kids. If you enjoy baking & have a bit of spare time to give back check us out https://t.co/ir3lBLcsJz pic.twitter.com/xGfhf1y6gh

— Cake4Kids.org (@Cake4Kids) April 10, 2019

Kate McKenzie is one of the 450 volunteer bakers in Virginia. The kids can pick out their theme and flavor and the hundreds of people who volunteer their time, execute their vision. McKenzie, who first joined the organization right before the pandemic, says the most important ingredient is love.

"They don't have to be perfect. You don't have to be a professional baker. Box mixes and sprinkle some love on top and you're going to make this kid's life very happy," she said.

For some of the children, it is the first birthday cake they have ever received. A sweet gesture that will stick with some of these kids for the rest of their lives.

"A birthday cake might feel like a luxury. Let us give you that. Let us help. These kids deserve it and it makes them smile. Everybody deserves to smile on their birthday," McKenzie said.

Cake4Kids Northern Virginia is working on expanding to Prince William County. The organization is always in need of bakers but is also looking for more organizations to partner with to be able to reach more children.

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Organization Bakes Cakes for Underserved Kids in Northern Virginia

NBC4 Washington
Wednesday, August 18, 8:31 pm

One local organization is making sure every child can celebrate their birthday! #HarrisHeroes @Cake4Kids @RealLeonHarris pic.twitter.com/AC4lHZigqg

— Michelle Montgomery (@Chelle_Francis) August 23, 2021

Cake4Kids was featured on the popular NBC4 Washington segment Harris’ Heroes! Every week, veteran Washington anchor Leon Harris shines the spotlight on the work that’s being done by people and organizations to make where we live a little brighter.