Selling sweets so hungry kids can eat

By D.A. Wilkinson

Want to help? Buy a cookie.

SALEM — If you have a sweet tooth, Hannah Bradley has what you need.

And satisfying your yearning for sweets is for a good cause.

The 7-year-old Lake Milton resident will be having a bake sale from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at 1171 E. State St., the site of Century House.

Her motivation is simple. “I want to help hungry kids eat some food and not get sick so much,” she said Thursday.

Hannah is home-schooled. Her sister, Morgan, 2, was born prematurely, and their mother, Melissa Bradley, said that with all the complications, it made sense to teach Hannah at home. She attends the online school Ohio Virtual Academy.

During her studies, Hannah discovered some people don’t have enough food.

“She just couldn’t believe that there were kids who don’t eat,” Melissa said.

Proceeds from Hannah’s bake sale will go to benefit food pantries.

Hannah said she has set a goal of $100.

Hannah’s grandmothers, Maye Bradley of Lisbon and Tina Kenreigh of Salem, are helping. Melissa said of her family, “We bake a lot. We love to bake.”

The treats will include candy bar cookies, peanut butter cookies that are wrapped around a miniature candy bar, giant Oreo-like cookies, brownies, cupcakes, and zucchini cookies for those who want a vegetable with their sweets.

“There will be 25 dozen cookies and cakes and pies. There will be a huge variety,” Melissa said.

Any items that don’t sell will go to The Banquet, a community outreach organization that provides free meals Monday nights at the Memorial Building.

Hannah also decided to provide lemonade and cider during the sale.

Melissa said Hannah, as part of the work for the project, had to approach companies for assistance. White House Fruit Farm in Green Township is providing beverages; Dunkin’ Donuts, coffee; Chick-fil-A, food coupons; and Zabel Restaurant Supply, Youngstown, containers and other materials.

Hannah also made the price tickets.

Melissa said the funds raised will go to area food programs. Hannah’s efforts are tied to Share Our Strength’s Great American Bake Sale, which has raised about $4 million nationwide. The event is supported by the Food Channel television network and Family Circle magazine.

XFor more information, visit: www.greatamericanbakesale.org

wilkinson@vindy.com