SPJ rang in the holidays with a bake sale to support Western Carolina’s Homebase College Ministry.
On Thursday, December 2, 2021, from noon to 4 p.m. The Society of Professional Journalists put together a bake sale raising over $600 for HOMEBASE at Western Carolina. They are located on the edge of campus at 82 Central Dr, Cullowhee, NC 28723 beside the Wells Fargo ATM.
Faculty, students, and staff baked their best holiday treats with a wild variety for all taste buds. Varying from chocolate chip cookies to Vanilici, a sweet pastry from the Balkan region. They also included everyone with vegan and allergen-specific options.
HOMEBASE is for all students and turns no one away. Students that might have aged out of foster care, are orphaned, homeless, need to wash clothes, or just want a warm place to be. HOMEBASE is a collaboration between Baptist Homes of North Carolina and Western Carolina University that’s purpose is to provide resources and help to all students.
“At SPJ, we like to put the power of words to good use. We thought that a great way to raise money and awareness for Homebase would be through sweets! Homebase does an incredible job of providing resources to students in need and they often get an influx of students around the holidays. We want to help take some of the financial burdens from them so they can help more students.” SPJ President, Sara Stanley.
The $600 plus from the bake sale will go straight to HOMEBASE to replenish student resources. Emily Renken, HOMEBASE Intern, gave examples of what might the bake sale money go to. “It could be used to refill the food pantry, money for student needs, and other resources that need money or more supplies.” She also added, “The surrounding community has donated so much this semester so keeping up support is great and appreciated.”
