The Humane Society of Kitchener Waterloo and Stratford Perth is hosting its annual Bake for the Animals fundraiser throughout the month of February, giving local bakers and lovers of sweet treats a chance to support the shelter and foster-care animals in the organization’s care.
Local bakers and lovers of sweet treats can help raise money to support shelter and foster animals this month through the Humane Society of Kitchener Waterloo and Stratford Perth’s annual Bake for the Animals fundraiser.
As in previous years, individual bakers can visit kwsphumane.ca/bakefortheanimals to register as a host of a bake sale fundraiser, through which they will be able to donate the proceeds to the local humane society.
“It’s a do-it-yourself fundraiser,” said Nick Burke, the local humane society’s director of development. “So essentially, if I wanted to bake something – I could bake a bunch of cookies or a bunch of muffins or whatever I decide to do – I would have my own little bake sale. We have corporations that do that where they encourage employees to bring (baked goods) to the office to sell them during Bake for the Animals. We also have individuals that will take orders from their friends, family and co-workers and make whatever it is that they make.
“A perfect example is our CEO, Kathrin Delutis, makes incredible peanut-butter balls and she sends out an email and says, ‘Who wants a dozen peanut-butter balls? Here’s the cost. All the money goes to the humane society.’ It’s a great opportunity to support the organization.”
As an extra incentive, the person who raises the most money through their DIY fundraiser by March 3 will win a prize pack valued at more than $200.
Those who may not be as talented at baking can also participate in this year’s Bake for the Animals fundraiser by taking a trip down the Pastry Path.
“What we’re really excited about this year is what we call the Pastry Path,” Burke said. “We have a stamp card you can pick up at any of the participating locations, including our centers in Stratford and Kitchener. Then, you can go into any of those participating businesses, purchase a baked good, a coffee or whatever it is they’re selling as part of Bake for the Animals, and get your card stamped.”
While a portion of the proceeds from the sale of certain items at each participating business goes back to support the local humane society, area residents who fill their stamp cards will also be entered to win a Cuisinart stand mixer valued at $400.
In and around Stratford, participating businesses on the Pastry Path include Black Angus Bakery and Catering, Chocolate Barr’s Candies, The Barkery, Vann’s Fine Bakery, Lady Glaze Donuts, and McDonald’s, from Feb. 13 to Feb. 19 only, on Erie Street, Ontario Street and in St. Marys.
Those who would like to contribute to the fundraiser but can’t bake and don’t have a big sweet tooth also have the option to purchase a “Cherry on the Top” 50-50 ticket for a chance to win big.
“The money raised helps in multiple ways. Generally, what that money will go towards is making sure the animals that are in our center and in foster care have appropriate food, appropriate medical care, medicines, vaccines, and it would cover surgeries for animals,” Burke said. “So there’s really a whole list of things where that funding can help support the animals in our care … and put them in the best possible position so they can be adopted out to a new home.”