New year. New opportunities. As you look at the year ahead, the possibilities are endless. What will you do with this new year you’ve been given? We never know how long we have, so let’s make this year count.
This year, become a better version of yourself by finding ways to help others. Consider donating to a local charity or organization in need. A great way to do so is to hold a charity bake sale. Since cookies are the best dessert, why not have an all-cookie bake sale?
Are you in? Keep reading for all you need to know to host a successful charity bake sale: cookie edition.
(BalashMirzabey/Freepik)
Choose Your Charity
The first part of hosting a charity bake sale is to decide which charity you want to raise money for. Consider these terrific ideas:
1. School
Supporting a local school benefits the whole community as additional funds improve the education of future members of society. The school’s PTA is in charge of fundraising. If you are a PTA member, discuss the idea of a bake sale at your next meeting.
If you are not a part of the PTA, consider contacting the PTA president to find out your options to help. You may be able to help the school organize a bake sale or hold one of your own in their honor.
2. Church
Most churches rely on donations from their members to stay open. If you are part of a local congregation, do your part by planning and hosting a bake sale to benefit the church. Your donations may also help with church youth camps and activities.
3. Hospital
Medical care is not cheap. Patients with severe or long-term illnesses and injuries know just how true this is. A fundraiser can ease the financial strain on hospital patients. VA hospitals, children’s hospitals, and cancer centers are great options to donate to.
4. Animal Shelter
The number of homeless pets is increasing. Many animal shelters are at their maximum capacity. The proceeds from a bake sale could help a shelter expand or provide food and healthcare for its occupants.
5. Local Organizations
Your local Red Cross, Scout troops, youth groups, and other similar organizations often seek donations to help them with their efforts. They will likely welcome the idea of a cookie fundraiser.
6. Homeless Shelter
Hopefully, you never find yourself in a situation where you no longer have a home. Homelessness is ever-increasing, and homeless shelters can only do so much. Help them do more by holding a bake sale and donating the funds.
7. Individuals In Need
Unfortunately, most of us will experience hardships in our lives. Things such as cancer or other serious illnesses, the loss of a spouse, a house fire, a severe injury, etc., are devastating circumstances that can cause not only heartache but financial strain as well.
If a neighbor, friend, or family member is going through a tough time, they likely could use help. Help ease their burdens financially by arranging a bake sale fundraiser in their honor.
Pick A Location
Once you have selected an organization, it is time to pick a site for your bake sale. Depending on the organization you are supporting, you can hold the fundraiser right at the organization’s location. This can be true for schools, churches, and some shelters.
However, local organizations and hospitals will likely require a different venue. Some ideas include:
- Grocery Store- The event could be held inside or in the parking lot.
- School- Even if the event does not benefit the school, they may be willing to let you host a fundraiser for another good cause.
- Local Park- If the weather is nice, a fundraiser at a local park is a nice idea.
- Your Own Front Yard- Just like a yard sale, your driveway or front lawn can provide the perfect location for a bake sale. Heck, combine the bake sale with a yard sale to raise even more money.
- Community Center- Depending on the size of your event, reserve either a single room or the banquet hall at your local community center. Consider combining the fundraiser with another event in the building.
- Sports Events- People attending sporting events crave snacks while watching the game. Why not have their money go to a good cause? Talk to the sports director about setting up a table during upcoming games.
Ask For Volunteers
It is possible for someone to run a bake sale by themselves, but it is not advisable. It is a much better idea to get some help. Ask family members and friends to volunteer or post a sign-up sheet at work, church, school, or directly at the charity you are raising funds for.
Advertise
You’ll want to advertise heavily to get a good turnout for your fundraiser. Make posters to set up along the streets, in local store windows, and at the event’s location.
Make flyers you can hand out in person or place on car windows in store parking lots (where it is legal and you have permission). You can also ask local schools to send flyers home with the students.
Don’t forget social media! Post on your page and in any local community groups. Ask friends and family to share the post on their pages. If you want your event to succeed, do everything you can to get the word out.
Bake
Once everything else is in order and the day of the event is close at hand, it is time to bake. Bake a variety of cookies, such as gourmet peanut butter cookies, themed sugar cookies, snickerdoodles, and, of course, chocolate chip cookies.
If you are planning for a large turnout, consider asking for volunteers to bake and donate cookies. Not a baker? Talk to a local bakery. If they realize you are doing a large order for a charity fundraiser, they may even give you a deal or donate some cookies to the cause.
Another option is to hire a cookie delivery service to cater the event. Just remember that the less money you spend on the actual cookies, the more money you will have to donate to the charity. Don’t be afraid to ask for donations.
Package and Present
If baking the cookies yourself or with others, you’ll need to package the cookies. Typically, large cookies are packaged as singles, while you can package bite-size cookies in groups of two or three. Quality, eye-catching packaging is a great way to entice people to buy cookies.
You’ll also need to set up for the event. Depending on location, you may want to hang some decorations. At the very least, you’ll want a nice-looking area to display the cookies.
Sell
The day of the event has arrived, and it’s time to raise some money! Look clean and approachable, with a genuine smile on your face. Talk to as many people as you can. Being friendly and outgoing entices people to buy more.
Hosting a charity bake sale takes a lot of time and effort, but raising money for those in need will be worth it. The resulting sweet, warm feeling in your heart will be better than any cookie could ever taste. And, if you’ve tried our cookies, that’s saying something.