Baking Collaboration Supporting Northland Families
Baking tutor Tracy Telfer and her students at NorthTec | Te Pūkenga have teamed up with Good Bitches Baking (GBB) and Kind Hands Respite Care Cottage to donate baked goods to families who are doing it tough.
GBB gives people a moment of happiness when they’re going through a tough time. And what could make you happier than baked goods made especially for you? GBB has a group of bakers and delivery people who volunteer their time, skills, and ingredients to the cause.
“There’s something very comforting about having someone bake for you,” says Cheree Morrison, Head Bitch of GBB’s Whangārei chapter. “It’s a small luxury for people and families who are struggling or having a hard time right now.”
Some of those families can be found using the services of Kind Hands Respite Care. Kind Hands is a purpose-built centre that offers respite care for children 6 and under who have a disability, are medically fragile, or are technology- dependent. They service the whole of Northland giving families options for day and night care as well as Early Childhood Education.
“When your day-to-day life is caring for someone else, being able to leave your child in the care of someone who you trust is a big deal,” says Sharleen Clement, owner of Kind Hands. “We offer day and night care so that people have options for their children in a place they know they will get the care they need. When your child needs around-the-clock care, it can be very hard on families. We can give them a respite from that.”
NorthTec | Te Pūkenga’s ākonga undertaking the NZ Certificate in Baking (Generalist) (Level 4) will take on the task of providing baked goods for families who use Kind Hands services, providing them with a sweet treat for the whole family. The baking will all be done as part of their practical in-class work.
“Baking for someone is an act of service and for me personally, and my students,” says Tracy. “It is definitely our love language. It’s a really special thing for the students to be able to do this. It’s nice to be able to share what we do in our practical class and is part of our manaakitanga.”
Each box of baked goods from the ākonga comes with a handwritten note from the baker themselves. Expressing good wishes and a happy message to the receiving family is an extra way to pass on good cheer.
“With NorthTec | Te Pūkenga’s baking students taking over baking for Kind Hands, it allows us to then distribute more baking to others who are having a tough time.” Cheree (GBB) explains. “The more people we have baking, the more people we can help. We’re very appreciative of NorthTec coming on board.”
Sharleen is also very pleased with the new collaboration. “The baked goods From GBB are always very popular. It’s so nice to be able to give something to families when they come to pick up their children.”
