Selling cookies, pies and cakes can help raise money for any organization.
Having a bake sale is a fun, easy way to raise money for an organization or cause. These fundraisers are easy to organize and hold and require a minimal time commitment. With some preparation, you can make sure the bake sale raises money and benefits the community. There are also ways to make a bake sale unusual by adding a theme, special guest or raffle.
Planning
Bake sales rely on the preparation of homemade baked goods that are sold to the public. It is not typical to sell baked goods that are purchased from a bakery or store. Organizations should develop a list of volunteers who are willing to bake and have them each decide what types of desserts they will provide. Variety is key. It's also a good idea to time your sale to coincide with a holiday or event. If a bake sale has a captive audience of hungry people, it will be more successful. Try to set up a bake sale booth at a craft show, carnival, sporting event or anywhere else lots of people gather.
Advertising
Most bake sale sponsors advertise their fundraiser with fliers, posters, signs and advertisements in newsletters or in newspapers. Begin advertising the sale a few weeks in advance to build up anticipation for the event. For big bake sales or themed bake sales, send out invitations.
Items to Sell
Almost any type of baked good will draw people to a bake sale. Various types of cookies, pies, cakes, candies and other treats will interest people. It's a good idea to label each item so that people know what type of treat it is. Be sure to let people know if the desserts contain nuts, because some people are allergic.
Bake sales normally package baked goods individually or in small groups, such as three cookies bundled together in one bag. Some sales include whole cakes, trays of cookies or pans of brownies for people who may want to buy the items as gifts or to share.
Twists and Themes
There are fun ways to make a bake sale different than most. One way to do this is through holding a cakewalk. Cakewalk tickets are sold at a low price, such as $1 each. Everyone who participates in the cakewalk stands in a circle. With music playing, the group walks in a circle. When the music stops, the person standing on a specific square wins a whole cake.
Another way to add fun to a bake sale is to create a theme. If the sale is around Christmas, create a Christmas cookie exchange. Members of the group will all bring homemade Christmas cookies and participants can fill a box of cookies for a set price.
It's also a good idea to have cooking demonstrations, cookbook authors or pastry chefs at the bake sale to help draw a crowd. People may come to watch the demonstration and decide they can't leave without buying a few desserts.
Boosting Profits
Bake sale profits get a boost when extra items are sold, such as coffee or lemonade. Sell raffle tickets for a premium dessert or basket of cookies. You can also hold a silent auction on premium baked goods.
For some of your best treats, create a sample table to lure people in with a little taste of what they can buy.
When the bake sale is ending, create a promotion to help sell leftover inventory, such as giving everyone one free item for every two items they purchase.
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