Every day, dedicated cooks go online in search of tantalizing recipes to feed our family, friends and guests. And while many of us donate our time or money to charitable organizations such as Harvesters, Feeding America, Meals on Wheels, Heifer International, or Share Our Strength in order to nourish others as well, did you know there’s another, unique opportunity that allows you to gather your friends, family or inn guests and have fun while doing something kind and charitable?
Drop In & Decorate, a nonprofit organization created by my friend and mentor, Lydia Walshin (of Nine Cooks and The Perfect Pantry), promotes a simple concept:
Bake some cookies; invite friends, family, inn guests, neighbors or co-workers over to help you decorate them; then donate the cookies to a nearby food pantry, emergency shelter, senior center, lunch program, or other community agency serving people in need. You could even sell your decorated cookies at a bake sale and donate the proceeds to a community agency instead.
The following video, at just over 2 minutes in length, provides a rare, inside glimpse into the heart of a Drop In & Decorate® event. But be forewarned: between the cookies, the fun, the creativity, and sense of community & giving back, viewing a Drop In & Decorate® event may make you long to host a party of your very own.
Ready to learn more about hosting a Drop In & Decorate® Cookies for Donation event at home, at work, or at your bed & breakfast inn? Don’t like to bake or decorate, and wondering if there is another way to get involved, or where to get started? Here are some helpful links to get you in the know:
- For baking cookies and rounding up a decorating gang at work, Lydia has written a 3-part series to get you started. FYI – This series contains great information for hosting an event anywhere, not just at work.
- Like the idea, but not sure where to donate your cookies? Be sure to check out this list of resources & ideas.
- Ready to roll up your sleeves and get busy? Download the Drop In & Decorate Planning Guide (in PDF form) now. It’s free and chock full of the information you need to get started, including: cookie and icing recipes, how to find a place to donate your cookies, how to set up your kitchen, supplies you might want (and where to find them), and tips and techniques shared by others who have hosted their own cookie decorating parties.
- Feeling inspired, but don’t like the thought of baking or decorating? Check out these Drop In & Decorate volunteer opportunities to get involved another way.
Drop In & Decorate’s holiday tip for the season? Makeover Your Cookie Swap! Instead of participating in your traditional cookie swap, why not gather your group, make & decorate the cookies together, swap some and donate the rest!
Did You Know?
- December 4th is National Cookie Day
- Before the end of the year, the 10,00th Drop In & Decorate® Cookie will be decorated & donated (perhaps it will be yours!)
- Cookies make people smile, and bring a bit of happiness to people in difficult circumstances
- Drop In & Decorate® Cookies for Donation is a year-round event, but the holidays are a great time to gather people together
- You can email lydia (at) ninecooks (dot) com for more information, tips & help
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{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
What a wonderful post! Thanks so much for helping to spread the word about Drop In & Decorate. Wouldn’t it be great if one of your readers decorated and donated the 10,000th cookie?
This is a perfect post to spread the idea around the blogosphere.
Sandie: Thanks for your support. Hope to see you again at a BlogHer conference. Drop In & Decorate events are truly a good thing.
It’s always a noble cause to spread sweetness and if it goes to charitable organizations. I must install the National Cookie Day in my country soon
Cheers!
Gera
Drop In & Decorate is one of the most fun things to do! I just had a Drop In party for my birthday. We decorated over 250 cookies for a local food pantry. And while we were at it, we decorated my cake!