Inspired by an article profiling a young girl in the foster care system who burst into tears upon receiving her first birthday cake, Cake4Kids founder Libby Gruender recognized that such a simple gesture could have a profound impact on the lives of underprivileged children. IIn 2010, Cake4Kids launched as a grassroots effort in Sunnyvale, California, with a handful of volunteers baking 13 cakes for a few agencies that support youth. Today, the organization encompasses hundreds of volunteers, serves over 400 social services agencies, and provides over 3,000 custom, homemade cakes or sweets for at-risk kids (ages 1-24) on an annual basis — with more than 40,000 treats delivered in the past 13 years
While a birthday cake may seem like a simple gesture to many, each baked good serves as a sweet reminder to the children and youth in the U.S. foster care system that they are seen, cherished, and not forgotten.
Per the organization’s website, children served by this mission include “youth in foster care, group homes, homeless shelters, transitional and low income housing, domestic violence or human trafficking shelters, substance abuse programs, and refugees.” Agencies partnering with Cake4Kids must serve at-risk or underserved youth, be categorized as a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization or government agency, and have offices in an area served by Cake4Kids.
Three years after Cake4Kids began, Gruender sadly passed away, but her mission continues to live on: The organization has since expanded across the country, with chapters in the below locations.
California
San Francisco Bay Area
Coachella Valley
Fresno
Monterey
Napa
Sacramento
San Diego
Sonoma
Colorado
Northern Colorado
Connecticut
Georgia
Atlanta Metro Area
Idaho
Treasure Valley
Illinois
Chicago
Kentucky
Central Kentucky
Massachusetts
Greater Boston Area
Nebraska
Greater Omaha
North Carolina
Raleigh-Durham Triangle
Oregon
Willamette Valley
Utah
Northern Utah
Virginia
Northern Virginia
Washington, D.C.
Washington (State)
Western Washington
Seattle (coming soon)
Wisconsin
Greater Madison
For more information, visit the Cake4Kids website to learn how you can volunteer, start a chapter in your area, and donate.
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