On Saturday, bloggers in major (and minor!) cities around the U.S. held bake sales to benefit Share our Strength, a charity whose mission is to end childhood hunger. When my friend, Gaby, asked if I would head up the New York City bake sale, I happily accepted.
After stopping at Levain Bakery to pick up the two dozen cookies they donated, we headed down to Kiehl’s who graciously allowed us to host the bake sale in front of their flagship store at 109 Third Avenue.
We had intended to start the bake sale at 10 AM, but we were set up by 9:30 and doing a roaring trade. I was surprised how supportive people were. We had lots of people standing around, taking pictures, asking about our blogs, Share our Strength, and the toothsome baked good people had made.
We had sweet little baked goods on the table.
We had sweet little dogs come by (I took about 50 photos of that puppy in a cart).
We had sweet little kids come by.
Who doesn’t love cute puppies, babies and baked goods?
But the most important part of the day was a lot less cute and sweet.
Late in the afternoon, a man walked by our table. He looked like he hadn’t showered in days. He had a black eye and a crinkled up MacDonald’s bag. He did a double take at all the baked goods. He almost walked away, but then he turned around, came up to the table and boldly asked, “Can I have one? I’m hungry. And I really am homeless.” I thought to myself, what else are we here for? “Sure” I said, “Help yourself!” He was so genuinely grateful. He couldn’t believe that we just gave him these baked goods. He just said “thank you” over and over again and reiterating that he really was homeless.
As he walked away, I saw him stop to talk to another man who also looked like he could use some help. I overheard him say, “Do you want some of my cookies?” Of course that made my heart swell, that he was willing to share. I walked over to the other man and said, “You can actually come and help yourself to your own baked goods.” He was apprehensive at first (perhaps reticent to accept ‘charity’), but a few minutes later he walked over, started up a conversation and started filling his bag with a few things.
Those moments made the whole day worth it. That, and we raised $800 for Share our Strength so that no child goes hungry. Because if we learned one thing yesterday it’s that there are a lot of hungry people out there. Men, women and children.
Lauren at Keep It Sweet says
Wow, that is pretty incredible to be able to make a difference in someone’s day like that. Helping people just a little bit at a time can go such a long way.
TidyMom says
WOW Maggy……what a great story! I bet you made that man’s day!!
Sounds like a very successful day in every way!!
Aimee @ Simple Bites says
Wow, powerful, Maggy. Thanks for sharing. How amazing that the first fellow was so quick to ‘pass it on.
JenniferA says
Great job, ladies. A true reminder of what you were actually doing there.
Kristen says
Totally what its all about – so real.
Daniel Delaney says
What a wonderful happening Maggy!
Tickled Red says
What a moving poetic ending to a fabulous day. Thank you so much for sharing this story and reminding us what it’s really all about, I just loved it Maggy 🙂
Liz@HoosierHomemade says
That is pretty amazing! Just goes to show you how many people need help right here in the US…ALL the time!
Thanks for sharing!
~Liz
Judith Klinger says
Bravi and complementi! A job very well done. It’s the little things, the step by step connections that keep us all human. Job very well done.
Tara says
So honored to have been a part of this with all of you. Thank you again for organizing, but especially for sharing this story–it’s great to know that making a difference in someone’s day, or weekend, or week can be as simple as giving him/her a Movie Theatre Cookie.
Angela@RecipesFromMyMom says
Your story and photos are a great inspiration to all bloggers and bakers. It was fate for that man to walk by and find a warm-hearted person who didn’t turn him away.
debbie @ words to eat by says
What a lovely story.
Johnna says
What a beautiful story! Thank you so much for sharing and reminding all of us of the good we can do by baking.
SMITH BITES says
absolutely what it’s all about – and what i appreciate about this situation is that you told him to help himself . . . and he then wants to pay it forward and share with someone else . . . makes my day Maggy, makes my day
Michelle says
Oh that just gave me goosebumps. Wonderful work ladies!
Terri says
Isn’t it truly humbling when you attempt to bless and the blessing is returned to you abundantly? It is experiences like you had that return us from our busy self-filled agendas to humanity and peace.
Kathy - Panini Happy says
That’s amazing. That’s what this event was all for!
Andrea@HighLowFoodDrink.com says
Thanks for organizing Maggy! I had a great time at the bake sale selling baked goods and meeting everyone and was happy that we raised so much money!
Grace @eatdinner says
What a great story! So true that little things can make a big impact, small kindness have a ripple effect! Thanks for organizing and happy that I could contribute in a small way to the success.
Grace @eatdinner says
What a great story! It goes to show you that small kindnesses have ripple effects. Thanks so much for organizing Maggy, and glad to have been a small part of the bake sale success.
Karen says
Thank you for being a positive part of the solution. I am glad that you shared this. Hope you have the happiest of birthdays!
One Hungry Mama says
Thank you for sharing! (And I’m sorry that I had to drop out of helping with this important cause and spending time with you lovely people. My loss.)
Maris (In Good Taste) says
Wow! You had me all teary eyed. That is a beautiful thing you did with the 2 homeless men. And I totally agree that the puppy in the basket is adorable!
justcooknyc says
thanks for writing this, Maggy… wish there were more people like you in the world
Emily | Nomnivorous says
Maggy, watching you talk with so many people who needed the food and deeply appreciated it was my favorite part of the day. It made me very happy to be able to help hunger across NYC in many different ways.
Lauren@LittleYellowKitchen says
Amazing story, I love how God placed people like that in the right place at the right time. Glad to hear your bake sale was successful! We had so much fun at the one in San Diego, I can’t wait for next year already 🙂
Krista {Budget Gourmet Mom} says
What an amazing story and experience! It’s a wonderful reminder of how truly blessed we all our and that we can give back. Thank you so much for sharing!
Aviva Goldfarb says
That is a beautiful thing–made me well up that you treated those men with such kindness. I wish I could have been closer to enjoy your bake sale. Congrats on its success!
Paula says
Beautiful post and certainly a reminder that for every child that is hungry, there is most likely a hungry adult too. Photos of your wonderful day are just excellent.
Erika says
What a beautiful story, Maggy. Sometimes, the world can be cold and people can lose the sense of who they are. Kindness is the best way to make us all feel human again, and when someone experiences it from a stranger, it becomes easy—natural—to show that same kindness to others.
You have such a big heart. I’m glad those men had a chance to experience that.
Urvashee says
Thanks so much for organizing the bake sale. I was so happy to be a part of this event. What an amazing story you’ve told to go with it too. That’s what its all about.
Angela says
What a very lovely and human story! Sometimes we forget that we were blessed with so much so that we could give it away! So powerful!
judy rowcliffe says
Wonderful! Food is love.
Cheryl says
Experiences like this, feed the soul. Thank you for sharing.
Celia says
I’m so glad the sale went well – I’m still sad we couldn’t work out a drop off. I love those puppies, and that’s a truly wonderful story you have at the end. Hope you’ll be in touch about future efforts! 🙂
Kathy Dys says
Thanks for sharing such a heartwarming story! It made me smile and most of all made me ask myself what I could do to help.
JulieD says
What a wonderful story! I love the burgers and fries and the clever way the cupcakes are packaged. I had so much fun organizing the Central Florida bake sale, I’m definitely participating again next year!