During the week of April 19, 2010, employees of Grundy Worldwide took part in the Great American Bake Sale, selling scrumptious home-made desserts at various prices right out of the company’s lunchroom. The sale resulted in a collection of $225.00 that was passed on to the Share Our Strength charity.

Since 2003, more than 1.7 million people have participated in Share Our Strength’s Great American Bake Sale, raising $6 million to make sure no child in America grows up hungry. The effort has rallied some of the culinary world’s most recognized celebrities like Food Network stars and national spokespeople Sandra Lee and Duff Goldman.

“Just to give you some background, I'm a big fan of the Food Network and saw Sandra Lee endorsing the bake sale” says Claims Manager Nicole Marketta, who organized the office event. “The Great American Bake Sale is just such an amazing concept and event. And I think the money goes to such a good cause.”

According to the Share Our Strength Web site, nearly one in four children in America struggle with hunger— almost 17 million kids, in total. The site offers the following statistics:

• 14.1 million children in America live in poverty. That’s 5.5% more than a year ago. (For a four-person family, that means getting by on less than $420 a week.)

• Nearly half (49.2%) of American children will receive SNAP (food stamp) benefits at some point in their life.

• The weak economy has put millions of previously secure American families at risk.

• Effective federal nutrition programs that provide nutritious food to families in need are still underutilized. 10 million eligible kids in this country are not receiving school breakfast. Only 1 of every 6 kids eligible for free summer meals actually gets them. That means 16.3 million kids who qualify for these meals don’t get them. Millions of Americans who are eligible for SNAP (food stamps) do not use the program.

“Through this rough economy we have been lucky,” says Nicole, in regard to Grundy employees. “We've all kept our jobs.”

“The employees at Grundy are like a big family. We’re good people,” she continues. “We're always celebrating in our office. We make cakes or brownies for birthdays, showers, graduations and holidays. We love to bake, and we love to eat! So, I thought I'd try hosting a week-long Great American Bake Sale at work in the office lunchroom.”

Eight employees participated as bakers and the rest of the workers were buyers; total sales added up to $225.00.

“I can't tell you how proud I am of all the women who baked for such a good cause,” says Nicole. “We sold brownies, cinnabuns, Rice Krispie treats, puddings, loaves of bread, muffins, cakes… well you get the idea. And, the best part was watching the office pull together and support the charity.”

For more information on The Great American Bake Sale, visit: Great American Bake Sale