Let them eat cake!

Windsor Park

East Kildonan

An upcoming fundraiser will give people the chance to enjoy delicious vegan baking while helping local animal rescues.

Brittany Martens, owner and operator of Plant Kitchen and Bakery, launched Cakes for Care last year in response to a growing number of animal abuse cases in Winnipeg, including media reports of “people doing terrible things to cats.”

She wanted to create a meaningful way to make a difference, and decided to harness her passion for baking to support animals in need.

“Cakes for Care came about in response to a growing amount of animal abuse cases in the news, which touched my heart,” said Martens, who lives in East Kildonan. “I started to think about what I could do to make a difference. I love animals, and I love baking, and here we are.”

Martens has created four gluten-free cake options for the fundraiser, which she makes in commercial kitchen space at Windsor Park United Church: vanilla sprinkle; chocolate; lemon curd blueberry; and red velvet.

Each cake costs $10, with around 75 per cent of every sale going to one of four animal rescues: Tails of Freedom Rescue, Grateful Friends Animal Rescue, Free from Farm Sanctuary, and Little Red Barn Farm Sanctuary.

“Last year, we sold over 210 cakes and raised over $1,600 to be divided among the rescues,” she said. “This year, our goal is to sell 300. This initiative not only helps provide vital resources for animals in need, but also brings community together through compassion, kindness, and tasty cake.”

Martens said it’s important to her to do what she can to help out in the local animal community, as well as embrace growing trends as more and more people become — or consider becoming — vegan.

“Nowadays, more and more people are going vegan. They can see the current system is unsustainable and cruel, and also that’s it’s a better diet for our health. It’s important to live a healthy lifestyle, but also enjoy little treats now and then,” she said.

“I feel like my purpose in life is to try and make a difference, and help with animal welfare. This fundraiser shows people can eat delicious food without harming animals in the process, as it’s an opportunity to have vegan baked goods.”

Chelsea Smith, adoptions co-ordinator at Grateful Friends Animal Rescue, is thankful for the support. She said the non-profit rescue shelter relies on business and personal donations, as well as fundraisers.

“When people step forward to support the rescue, it’s how we get our name out there and how people hear of us,” Smith said. “It helps brings more awareness to the rescue world.”

Martens said cakes can be pre-ordered and be picked up from the church at 1062 Autumnwood Dr., or be purchased at one of the markets she’ll be attending in the latter half of November.

Go online at www.plantkitchen.ca or visit @plantkitchenwpg on Instagram for more information.