Bake Days of Summer

Before jet skis, weekends in Chatham and mile-long in-ground pools, we enjoyed the simple pleasures of summer: sprinklers, popsicles and banana seat bikes.

On the best days mom would surprise us with chocolate cupcakes lathered in white frosting and sprinkles.

Relive those easy days of summer by hosting a good old-fashioned bake sale. It will fill your neighbors and friends with nostalgia and raise money for one of the best anti-hunger organizations around, Share Our Strength.

Having a bake sale is as easy as 1-2-3. Start by registering online for the Great American Bake Sale. Next, check out SOS's Participant Resource Center. It has tips for getting started, promoting your sale and tasty recipes from the stars at the Food Network, including Sandra Lee's Tie-Dyed Cupcakes. Last, send the money you raised to SOS knowing that while you're helping a national organization, your community can benefit.

Previous grantees here in Massachusetts include the East Boston YMCA and the Worcester Food Bank.

No time to bake? Host a virtual bake sale. You simply contact your friends and family and ask them to donate to your bake sale to meet your fundraising goal. You can also hold a virtual bake sale after having a real bake sale to reach out to dieters that are generous but health conscious.

Kudos for celebrating a great American tradition and feeding hungry children. Have a cupcake.  Mom would appove.