In 2011, when a furious wall of water hit Japan, some very special people in Austin decided to get together and help by throwing a massive bake sale in Austin. Right out of the gate, that very first bake sale raised more than $11,000 dollars for Americare's work in Japan.
Since then, Austin has baked again and again, coming together to help the people of Bastrop after wildfires, and folks in West after a devestating explosion. All together, Austin Bakes has raised more than $45,000 for disaster relief. Not too shabby for a bunch of bakers, bloggers and home cooks.
Austin Bakes is a great example of what makes me love this little city. I've never experienced a sense of community quite like what we have here in Austin. When the Halloween floods hit our own city, it made perfect sense for Austin to bake again, this time to help our own neighbors.
We're coming together this Saturday, November 30 at five locations citywide. From 10am to 2pm baked goods will be available by donation, with 100% of the proceeds going to Austin Disaster Relief Network, a loca organization that has been helping organize volunteers and raise funds to help Austin families affected by the floods.
Though I've baked and volunteered at sales for Austin Bakes in the past, this is my first time helping to organize it. Let me tell you, the work that goes in to making all of this happen is really something. If I was impressed before, I am now in awe of Kathyrn, the founder of Austin Bakes.
We need more bakers and volunteers for our big sale on Saturday! There are over 450 families that need help from Austin Disaster Relief Network, and the damages to the city have been quoted in the neighborhood of fifteen million doallars. To spell things out for you, our neighbors need our help in a big way.
If you can bake a batch of cookies, a pie, a loaf of bread, or another homemade goodie, we'd sure be grateful.
If you aren't a baker, consider volunteering to help out at one of the five sale locations around the city. The sale is this Saturday, Nov. 30 from 10am to 2pm.
If you don't live in Austin, but you still want to help, please consider making a donation to the Austin Bakes for Austin online fundraising page, or directly to Austin Disaster Relief Network on their site.
Found out more, and sign up to help at http://austinbakes.com/