Tiny Baker Sells Goods to Fight Childhood Hunger

At 4 years-old , Anniston Holman-Beasley already knows a thing or two about baking and helping out her community. Over the weekend, she raised more than $300 selling baked goods for charity. All proceeds will go to Share Our Strength as part of the Great American Bake Sale, a national campaign that mobilizes Americans to end childhood hunger by holding bake sales in their communities.  Share Our Strength hopes to end childhood hunger by 2015.

Anniston's mom, Alicia Holman, says the project was her daughter's idea. "She wanted to do something for the community," said Holman. "We saw several organizations on TV where you could donate money, but I wanted to have something that she could do from beginning to the end and see the process of community service."

The mother/daughter duo set up a table of irresistible treats outside Cheapos Thift in Lawrenceville Saturday, the last stop on a mini bake sale tour. Anniston's giant brownies were a big hit. "We made them together because we love baking together and that’s our favorite thing to do", said Anniston.  

Holman and other community members chipped in to make the rest of the treats.  Rebecca How heard about the bake sale through Holman's photography business website, and made cookies and cupcakes. "I like to bake and it’s a reason to bake and then you don’t have to eat it all", said How. "I think it’s great that Anniston wanted to do this."

The bake sale is not just a community project for Anniston, it's part of her homework. She is home schooled. Everything from the baking to the selling became a learning tool. "Cooking became a math and science lesson," Holman said. "She was measuring the sugar, measuring the eggs, counting and figuring out what we needed and that became our school work for the day. The sale itself became a life kills and community service lesson."

Maria Goodman, owner of  Cheapos Thrift, donated the space for the bake sale. "Alicia and Anniston are regular customers... good people," Goodman said.  "Anytime I can help other organizations raise money, I donate the space and whatever they need."

 The goal was to raise at least $250 dollars, but at last count, the total was $314.48 with donations still coming in. Holman says she and Anniston hope to continue the project with another bake sale next year, "Now she can understand what it is to be in her community and part of her community and now give back to her community."