Over the past few months, there have been a bunch of impressive fundraising efforts to help both those affected by Covid-19, as well as community efforts in the wake of widespread protests against systemic racism. A bake sale would normally be a pretty sweet way to raise money for charity, but the realities of a still-going global pandemic make pulling one off pretty much impossible.
Don’t tell that to James Beard-nominated pastry chef Paola Velez, though. Together with fellow DC-based bakers and chefs Rob Rubba and Willa Lou Pelini, she launched a social media-based event called Bakers Against Racism. Velez’s Instagram announcement describes it as “a call to action: to fight and stand up against the unjust treatment of BLACK people in the United States. We are armed to fight racism with the tools we know how to utilize, our FOOD.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/CBBIz8KBTor/
CALLING ALL BAKERS, CHEFS, HOME BAKERS & COOKS!!!!!!!!! @bakersagainstracism is a call to action: to fight and stand up against the unjust treatment of BLACK people in the United States. We are armed to fight racism with the tools we know how to utilize, our FOOD.JOIN forces with us virtually on all social media platforms launching pre-sales on June 15th and pickups on the 20th to stand up to injustice.We are asking for national participation! All you have to do is make a dessert to sell, and then donate the majority of the proceeds to a charity that supports black lives. Your small contribution can create BIG and lasting change.For graphics, documents, resources, and more information, email us at [email protected] *Art by Chef @robrubba * #jointhemovement #blacklivesmatter#BAKERSAGAINSTRACISM
A post shared byChef Paola Velez (@smallorchids) on
According to the event’s website, it’s a worldwide effort open to “everyone who wants to see radical change,” a category that includes both professional bakers and at-home amateurs. The only participation requirements are a commitment to creating 150 baked dessert items for sale and donating the majority of proceeds should go to a charity or organization supporting Black lives.
Preorders for those selling on social media are set to begin June 15, and the baked goods should be ready to pick up on June 20. Bakers Against Racism will assist with some of the logistics, promotion, and info so everyone can focus on perfecting their pastries and tasty treats.
Bakers Against Racism’s Instagram account already shows some exciting previews of what can be ordered, and it looks like participation will be incredibly widespread. A post from June 9 says there will be representation from at least 38 states, 14 countries and four continents.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CBMQ1-khAM3/
2020 grams of Standing with and for Black lives even if it makes you uncomfortable.Cause any way you mix it Black Lives Matter – Hi Bakers! We’ve received such a positive response to this initiative. We love to see it!!! We’re in 38 states, 14 countries and 4 continents!!!!!!! LETS BAKE AGAINST THE MACHINE! -Paola, Willa & Rob#bakersagainstracism #blacklivesmatter * Art by @robrubba *
A post shared by#BLACKLIVESMATTER (@bakersagainstracism) on
So if you’ve developed some quarantine baking skills and want to put them to good use, it’s not too late to sign up and help out a worthwhile cause in solidarity with so many around the world. After all, it’s not every day that you can bake a cake that plays some small role in fighting systemic racism.
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