(Courtesy/ Christy Bening)

Each year, students in the CA community come together for one of the school’s most meaningful Service events: Baking 4 Good. What was once a small Lower School project has grown into a much larger student-run event that takes place on the national holiday celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

The goal of Baking 4 Good is simple but powerful. Anyone in the community who can attend helps prepare fresh food for Faith Mission, a non-profit organization the school has partnered with for years.

On this year’s MLK Day, our community made 480 rolls and added about 30 pounds of lunch meat and cheese, which will be turned into sandwiches at Faith Mission.

About 30 students volunteered, and with the event open to all — not just Service Board members played a role in making it a success. With some people baking, others washing dishes, organizing supplies, or handling cleanup, everyone made a large contribution. The first attendees arrived at 9:00 a.m. for setup. The second group came in from 10:00 a.m. until  2:00 pm. Once the baking was complete, the first group topped off whatever needed to be finished and headed out at 3:00 pm.

Behind the scenes, preparation begins days in advance. Mr. and Mrs. Bening spend many hours gathering and measuring ingredients to ensure the event runs smoothly. This tradition is fully funded through the Service Board’s budget, made possible by the Galbreath Family Fund.

Baking 4 Good is an example of how students can turn time, effort, and teamwork into a real impact. By the end of the day, the work is complete, and the food is ready for delivery.

 This event is a reminder of how important giving back and showing up for others is, especially on MLK Day.