BUY. BAKE. HELP.
We saw some incredible amounts of rain last month, while this was welcome after the droughts of 2011, the damage was not.
Folks all along the Onion Creek river system were washed out of homes and rescued from rooftops. The same thing happened in my previous home of Calgary earlier this year. The rivers become seething live creatures, swallowing everything in their path.
It’s time to rebuild. Renew. Refresh. But everyone needs your help.
Austin Bakes for Austin is here to lend a hand, or cookie, for the cause. Bakers across town will fire up their ovens for a city-wide bake sale on November 30th. Save some room after your Thanksgiving feasts for sweet treats, and maybe a few savory ones too. Your purchase will help a neighbor. What better way to celebrate Thanksgiving?
Let me tell you how I got involved with Austin Bakes.
It was Labor Day weekend, 2011, we were returning to Round Rock after spending time with the grandparents in Del Rio for my son’s birthday. As we approached Austin travelling north on IH-35, I saw what looked at first to be a thunderstorm to the east. Then the horrifying scene became clear. That was a wall of smoke from a huge fire. I’d never seen anything like it, and my heart sunk.
I wanted to help Bastrop. Especially after seeing the news coverage. I cried for people I didn’t even know, would never meet, and would never know that I cared about them. It was that human connection, some upper echelon of spirituality that zapped me in gear. I found Kathryn and Austin Bakes. We met for coffee and I was so excited to be able to do something with my hobby of baking that would help the people I cried for, and prayed for. A simple act of love, all bundled up in a loaf of bread. Is it really that simple? Yes, it can be.
I don’t think Kathryn, nor the other volunteers, knew how this event would grow.
Then West, TX happened. I was drowning in a pool of tears for the firefighters and first responders who lost their lives that day. During that bake sale, a volunteer firefighter from West appeared at my location in the Round Rock Market. Holding back tears I thanked him for his service, dedication, and offered condolences for his fallen brothers. He wouldn’t take a cookie, and only left his thanks for us.
We can’t fix everything, but we can try to help each other. Please join me next Saturday, either as a volunteer or supporter, for Austin Bakes for Austin between 10am and 2pm. I’ll bring the bread, you bring your friends.
For locations, please visit http://austinbakes.com or make a donation today.
All funds raised will go to the Austin Disaster Relief Network, to benefit survivors of the late October flooding
that ravaged homes in Austin and Pflugerville. Those who wish to make a gift in advance of the sale may do
so at Austin Bakes for Austin’s secure, online giving page.
midnitechef 