PHOTO PROVIDED/ CATHOLIC COMMUNITY SERVICESThe winner was Nothing Bundt Cakes in Eugene. Owners Bob and Denise Cerince accept the trophy at their Eugene bakery by Springfield mayor Sean Van Gordon. Stefani Roybal, development directror is at left.
By ERIN TIERNEY, [email protected]
SPRINGFIELD — The results are in, and boy are they sweet.
This Year’s Dessert for Dinner, an annual fundraiser by Catholic Community Services in Springfield, raised over $12,000 through dessert box sales, donations and sponsorships.
Dessert sampler boxes include eight individual servings of desserts like cupcakes, cookie sandwiches, mini-bundt cakes, a chocolate bar and more. All items are individually wrapped and have been supplied by local bakeries.
The proceeds go to CCS programs including OASIS: a day drop-in center for Springfield families that are unhoused and in care of a minor, said Stefani Roybal, development director.
OASIS is housed at First Baptist Church across the parking lot from CCS. There, families can drop in to pick up food and clothing, prepare a meal, get a shower, or receive case management, Roybal said.
Part of OASIS is the overnight parking program which includes two tiny houses and a conestoga hut for temporary housing while families get back on their feet.
Participating bakeries included The Sassy Cupcake, Mad Batters, Juvenal’s, Cookie Conscious, Sugarmama’s, Sanity Chocolate and the winning bakery: Nothing Bundt Cakes, a Eugene-based bakery.
The original fundraiser was an in-person event held in 2019. “The pandemic forced us to get creative and we found that having boxes to take away was convenient for participants and the profit margin was much greater which meant more money for programs,” Roybal said.
“I see this fundraiser growing over the next few years and I would love to see more bakeries get involved so that we can include more vegan or gluten free options for people.”
To learn more about OASIS and other CCS programs, residents are encouraged to tour the facility on Saturday, June 25 at 9 a.m. on 10th and G streets. RSVP at ccslc.org/hhh
