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Cookies Across America

Whether it's baking and sharing cookies or donating cookie ingredients to a food bank, you can make a difference in your community this Christmas.

Find Favorite Cookie Recipes

Cookie Know-How

Cookie Pin-spiration

Check out mouth-watering cookies on Allrecipes' Cookie Recipes Pinterest board.

Show Me Cookie Recipes!

Host a Cookie Swap

Invite family and friends to bring a few dozen of their favorite holiday cookies to swap with each other.

Then wrap up your cookies for donation and give them to a local food pantry, emergency shelter, senior center, lunch program, or other community agency.

Be sure to check first that they accept food donations, and ask when they would like delivery.

Hosting an Event is Easy

1. Pick a day, time, and place for your event
2. Contact a nonprofit agency
3. Bake cookies or ask friends to do the baking
4. Set up for the swap
5. Wrap cookies
6. Deliver the cookies
7. Share your story and inspire others

Organize a Food Drive

Host a food drive that focuses on baking ingredients, then donate items to your local food bank. Open up the food drive to friends, family, and coworkers, along with school, church, and other groups.

Most-Needed Ingredients:

Flour
Peanut Butter
Shortening
White Sugar
Brown Sugar
Powdered Sugar
Vanilla
Baking Soda
Baking Powder

Where to Donate?

Food pantries, family shelters, senior centers
The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence
The Ronald McDonald House

Other ideas? Check with your town hall or city government. Search the internet for "human service," "domestic violence," and agencies that meet basic human needs of food and shelter.

Comments

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H.orseD.reamer

Dec. 3, 2010 4:31 am

COOL!

MLM-Miami

Dec. 3, 2010 6:22 pm

I did a LOT of baking last year and donated boxes and containers that I'd been collecting for this purpose to a local women's shelter. I think they were a little shocked at how many I brought but they said the women (and children) really appreciated them. It was nice knowing that they were going to a good cause and maybe helped them have a little enjoyment in the midst of difficult situations. I am not well enough (or financially in a position) to do that this year, but I would encourage others thinking of doing this. It seems like it would be a good project for a women's club or church group to take on. I made quite a variety of goodies, including candies, cookies, and tarts. I wrapped them up, although I was short on time so didn't do as nice a job of this as I would have liked. I hoped that the different sizes of containers would work for different needs.

sassier75

Dec. 4, 2010 5:48 am

I work in a homeless shelter/soup kitchen and our clients love homemade cookies! Unfortunately, we don't often have the time or resources to make the cookies, so it is a treat when people drop off home made goodies! Thank you to everyone who has done this in the past or plan to do it in the future. You can touch a lot of hearts by dropping off some home made love!

breezemozel@cogeco.ca

Dec. 4, 2010 7:02 pm

I've taken homemade goodies from our cookie swap into a local nursing home to shared with residence that have little or no visitors. Baked goods do touch the heart!

NikiLynneGee

Dec. 6, 2010 5:48 pm

I have been thinking about doing something like this for a long time now, and with the help of the article I am finally organizeing a cookie party, and all the procedes from the cookie party are going to the City Mission, because no matter how bad it is, there is always someone who has it worse...

grammy49

Dec. 8, 2010 6:14 pm

I,too, did a lot of Christmas baking last year and my husband delivered dozens of goodies to the local homeless shelter. They were most appreciative and I felt better because of it! I encourage others to do the same.

pagirl

Dec. 11, 2010 12:21 pm

I am really encouraged to follow others this year and share some holiday cheer through homemade cookies. This is wonderful as my family and I have been discussing how we can give this Christmas. Thanks to everyone for sharing your testimonies. May God bless you this Christmas.

jacob & jackson's mom

Dec. 21, 2010 12:29 pm

Last year I made cookies and cupcakes and took them to a local nursing home. My twins (who were 6 last year) and my eleven old niece helped out, as well as my mom. I printed out copies of classic Christmas carols and brought a CD player with us. We delivered the baked goods and then sang Christmas carols with the seniors. They were so happy and it taught the little ones a valuable lesson about charity and Christmas spirit.

CAPPYCLARK

Dec. 22, 2010 11:32 am

This year I was able to make about 10 doz cookies for our "Cookie Crunch for the Airmen". The cookies were packed in baggies of 3 or 4. This way they could get a mixture of cookies. They were delivered to the Airmen who remained here for the holidays.

Erin

Dec. 23, 2010 3:31 pm

Our book club had a cookie baking day and we donated many dozens of our baked goodies to a local homeless shelter. Thanks for the great idea!

Deb C

Dec. 20, 2011 11:22 am

My daughter and I decided to do something just a little different. We made dog cookies for the homeless pets at the local animal shelter. They are peanut butter based and we use all organic ingredients. Our dogs and our friends’ dogs love them.

RookieBaker

Oct. 12, 2012 9:20 pm

I am trying to find information on 'Cookies Across America' for this Holiday season...having trouble. I found a guide booklet and a website for this last year. I am thinking of suggesting a high school girls basketball team decorate cookies and deliver to local retirement centers - help team bond along with giving to others. Would appreciate any help for more recent information - google efforts didn't help much.

candymc

Oct. 17, 2012 7:42 pm

my husband and i have 4 children and for the past several years we have baked cookies, cakes, muffins and donated them to the food kitchen, they always are greatly appreciated and it has taught my children that the holidays are a time to give..they are young adults now and we still give cookies at christmas, as well we collect tolietries throughout the year so they can be passed out to those in need...it has been an honor to be able to help

MSGOODYGAL

Dec. 4, 2012 9:21 am

If anyone is looking for a place to donate, please consider Rumford Group Homes, who runs a homeless shelter for women and children: 25 Deering St., Norway, Maine 04268

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