Bake Sale For Japan

Bake sales. Remember them? They were held to help buy uniforms for kids' baseball teams. Or to raise money to send the school band to a state competition. Churches, girl scouts, community groups and schools hold them to fund innumerable worthy projects and causes.

But holding a bake sale for a whole country? What difference can a cupcake, cookie or even a whole layer cake make when people are facing the devastation caused by the worst natural disaster in their recorded history?

Well, what if another whole country, say the US of A, took a few minutes away from reading the paper, watching the game or walking the dog on a Saturday to buy a pastry, the proceeds from which would go to help that affected country?

That's exactly what the Bake Sale for Japan is all about. Imagine millions of delicious homemade cookies, cupcakes, breads, rolls, pies and cakes baked by thousands of this country's best professional and home cooks. Then imagine thousands of locations across the country with tables groaning under the load of sweet and savory goodies. All waiting for you to drop by and indulge.

If you're a baker, a pastry-lover or just want to do something for someone else, consider participating in this event. As the historian Howard Zinn said, "Small acts, when multiplied by millions of people, can transform the world."

Details: Bake Sale for Japan. Saturday, April 2, 10 am-2 pm. Two locations in Portland at Ristretto Roasters, 3808 N Williams Ave., 503-288-8667; and Barista, 539 NW 13th Ave., 503-579-6678. To contribute a baked good to the sale or volunteer, send an e-mail.

Top photo (and cake) by Giovanna Zivny.