Half Baked NYC~ Worlds Largest Bake Sale Event Combats Childhood Hunger One Dessert at a Time

“I am a member of the Collective Bias®  Social Fabric® Community.  This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias®  and Kmart and Shop Your Way for Sandra Lee’s World’s Largest Bake Sale. All ideas expressed and written are from my own blogger brain.  #WorldsLargestBakeSale #cbias #SocialFabric”

As someone who has a passion for many philanthropic events, I know just how important it can be to get your cause in the spotlight, where as many people as possible can be made aware, and hopefully participate in that which inspires you.

Clearly that same sentiment was on the forethought when Sandra Lee and company were planning the Worlds Largest Bake Sale to help combat and fight childhood hunger. And what better place to get noticed and make a scene then in a place where hundreds of thousands of people can walk through on any given day. The large scale event, which took place in the Vanderbilt Hall at Grand Central Station on May 1, hosted numerous bakeries and restaurants throughout New York City, who featured their best baked goods and desserts for $5. Some of these included Murrays Cheese, Billys Bakery, Jean George, Fat Witch, Insomnia Cookies, and many more; the proceeds of these sales going to the No Kid Hungry Campaign and Food Bank Nyc.

Driven By Sandra Lee, who has successfully turned her love of semi homemade meals into a multi million dollar lifestyle brand, and co-hosted by Ty Pennington of Extreme Home Makeover fame, the event drew everyone from celebrities, to business men and women walking through, to moms and kids, people wanting a glimpse of Sandra herself, and people who were just plain hungry for a treat.

Sponsored by Kmart Shop your Way, and Sears, the idea behind this large scale bake sale was simple. Treat yourself to a speciality dessert that you might not normally get to try, while in the process, symbolically putting food in a child’s hands. Although childhood hunger is a worldwide problem, with an estimated 1 in 5 children suffering, it’s not always on the forefront.But the No Kid Hungry Campaign along with Sandra Lee, and the success of the Worlds Largest Bake Sale hopes to change that, and bring more awareness to the issue.

When I arrived at Grand Central, Ty Pennington was doing just that, even standing on the street with a megaphone trying to attract more people as young girls excitedly and charmingly stood on the side with signs and posters promoting the event inside. I explored everything, stopping to admire every treat, cupcake, and bread, and was amazed to see Sandra Lee doing the same thing. Clearly passionate about food, and this cause, I was amazed to watch her in action as she stopped at every booth, spoke to every proprietor, posed for pictures, and shook hands with her fans. And most notably, she complimented a young blogger and journalist on her updo..(okay, it was me!)

And if you missed the big event, no need to worry as it doesn’t stop there. Although the bake sale generated profit and massive crowds, the event will continue on, virtually. All month, until May 31st, Kmart will donate $1.00 to the Bake Sale for No Kid Hungry every time their message is shared on facebook and twitter. A $1.00 will also be donated each time a Sandra Lee recipe card is shared with friends and family. You can share the message, check out recipe cards, and read more about the cause right here.

Or you can donate your tax deductible gift directly to the virtual bake sale here.

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