Bake Sale for Homes For the Troops

[joyfulkel.livejournal.com]

Hi. This is a post looking for some information/advise, and also to see if anyone is interested in helping me with a project I am thinking about.

I was reading the NY Times today, and ran across an article about a MA based charity Homes For Our Troops. They remodel exisiting homes and build new homes for returning veterans who have been injured in the war and need adaptations in order to lead more independent lives. The story went on to explain that the federal bennefit for veterans that have been permanently disabled by war injuries is around 60,000, which isn't much when you are trying to build somone a new home with adaptave tech, and that vets rely on agencies like these to fill in the gap. I'd really like to do something to help, and I like to cook and bake, so I thought a bake sale would be a fun way to raise some cash for this organization.

Does anybody know how to organize something like this? I'd love to have a table out in the square, especially right around thanksgiving (I make a mean apple pie), but I don't know what kind of permission I would need. Also, while I love to bake, I would be appreciative of anyone who would be willing to pitch in, either with baked goods or a smiling face, or even an appetite and some change.

any input or feedback you have would be greatly appreciated.

Comments

[tfarrell.livejournal.com]

If you go to tomfarrell.org/contact (http://tomfarrell.org/contact) with your web browser, you'll find forms to email me or IM me. I can't promise anything because my schedule is highly variable, but if you contact me a little before it's time for your bake sale, if I have time I'll make something - I make an even meaner apple pie (thank you, grandma), or great fudge. Or if you want my recipes for either, they're also on my web site at tomfarrell.org/food (http://tomfarrell.org/food). My fudge can be made in 5 minutes in the microwave, and is perhaps the most rich and creamy fudge you'll ever have (I'm not just boasting, a lot of people tell me that) so it might make for a good bake sale item because it can be produced fast and sold in smallish pieces.

Thank you for bringing our attention to this important charity.

Market-ing...:)

[dianamp04.livejournal.com]

The markets are a good way to do this - and I don't think they cost anything (I volunteer at a cat rescue and they didn't charge us when we put a table up a few months ago). I don't have the contact information myself, but the Union Square market is very busy(I assume they're still going on? The Medford one is I know) and the organizer always has a table up, so you can go and talk to him. Him and the other vendors were extremely nice and we raised a good amount of money for the rescue. You do have to arrange it with him though, can't just show up and be all like "I have cookies!" :) That one is run on Saturday mornings. I'm not sure about the Davis one. Medford is Thursday afternoons, but it doesn't seem quite as popular as the Somerville ones.

[bettyw.livejournal.com]

A couple more ideas:

- Check if any of the local churches are having a fair/bazaar (many have either "Harvest" fairs and/or December Holiday fairs) and ask if you can rent or be allowed to put up a table for free.

- Local businesses who have enough space or are already allowed to use the sidewalk in front of their store for merch might let you set up a table, since it draws customers to them and makes them look good for supporting a cause. The supermarkets like Shaw's used to do this, but maybe you could also approach places like the Somerville Theater or Sacco's.

[closetalker11.livejournal.com]

A bake sale is indeed a great idea. While you're planning, check out this program:

http://www.pieinthesky.org/events/index.cfm?event=47

This organization gets bakeries to donate pies (or sell them pies at a low cost) that they have volunteers sell to the public. It's a very cool, very well-known event. And the pies are awesome!

[closetalker11.livejournal.com]

OK, I am posting twice in a row -- I'm sorry.

In working with anomie666 on getting a permit of this nature from the city, I think I remembered him mentioning that a permit to sell food was actually pretty difficult to deal with. He probably has more details.

You may be better off in a private space, like a church (as suggested), a yard of someone who lives near the square, the VFW.

I'd love to help. I can definitely make yummy baked good, but would be happy to help with publicity, etc.

Re: Market-ing...:)

[ron_newman]

http://www.massfarmersmarkets.org/ says that the Union Square farmer's market runs through October 25, and Davis Square through November 26.

[tt02144.livejournal.com]

What a great cause! Thank you for your interest and your willingness to help - please let everyone know if and when something is up and running, so we can either volunteer some time, or buy mean apple pie or fudge (it's the least I could do!!).
Schools being used as polling places often have bake sales that day. Perhaps you could get a city permit to set up outside one of the polling places (some would have enough space, others might not). Some, like the Dante Club or the Greek Church might even allow you some space inside, separate from the voting area. It's worth checking.
Other than that, I was going to suggest supermarkets, but the idea of looking into church bazaars, which are all coming up in the next month or two, is great! Perhaps a small store in the square would even let you set up inside for a day? Best of luck!!

[anomie666.livejournal.com]

You have to have a permit to sell goods on any public property, but there is another hurdle if it is food you are selling. In the permit we got with the city, we had to agree to not sell any food or drinks. I don't believe you would need a permit to sell food on private property, but you may want to double check with the city.

The simpliest idea would be using someone's yard. Renting out the VFW would probably cost more than you would make on the sale.

BTW, I'd also be willing to help spread the word about it (I don't bake).

[blondeamazon.livejournal.com]

I would get in touch with the organization and tell them you want to have a bake sale to help rise money. They may have hard stuff they use, ie tables, banners, etc, when they have events they could lend you. It would add authenticity to your efforts and they may have ideas of how to go about doing it and may be able to offer personnel to help. Oh the flip side, they may not be allowed to accept such informal donations. Good luck.

[jenskot.livejournal.com]

When you do manage to figure out the logistics and need donated baked goods, let me know - disability access is my pet cause and I make some wicked apple muffins and oatmeal choco-cookies!

[redcolumbine.livejournal.com]

I think a supermarket would be a great "cheat" space because two-jobbers and diabetics could still dash in, grab a pie, and donate it...

[closetalker11.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the clarification.

[obie119.livejournal.com]

When I had a bake sale to raise $ for Katrina, I didn't reach the Somerville authorities in time so I had it on a corner in my neighborhood. But, when I spoke with authorities after the fact, I got a very strong impression that it was a Don't Ask, Don't Tell thing if it was your standard bake sale and it was for charity - that they wouldn't shut you down if you weren't doing anything comprised as offensive.

Caveat I'm sure was that it was all baked goods, nothing perishable in the dangerous sense. Whatever the case, contacting the charity and getting a letter of support on their letterhead, and a copy of their ST-2 (tax-exempt/charity info) would definitely be a good thing to have on hand.

Oh, and I bake and would be happy to help if the timing works out :)

[livingadream.livejournal.com]

Bake sale?? Count me in! I love baking/cooking/feeding people.
If you get something off the ground, please let me know -- I will definitely partake! (At my previous place of employment I was known as the Cupcake Queen).

heartsandspades at gmail dot com.