The warm, comforting smell of homemade cookies and pastries filled the Poway Plaza air on May 4.
The Baking for a Cause Club had a fundraiser on that Sunday morning and sold sweet treats for The Lucky Duck Charity.

This club started from a tight-knit group of friends who came up with the sweet idea.
The club’s president, junior Celeste Atienza, created this club because “anyone who enjoys baking could come together and have fun with their friends while also giving back to the community,” Atienza said.

As president of a club and a member of ASB, Atienza has had experience with leadership and organizations, but she says, “It’s a team effort and I wouldn’t be able to run the club without my friends and the rest of the leadership team.”
One way they promote their club is through social media. Their Instagramhandle is @Cooking4acause.phs.

The account is run by junior Ashleigh Ronsse, who is in charge of posting when and where meetings occur, when bake sales are, and messages about the meaning behind their club.
Ronsse says the best thing the club has baked was “brownies at the last bake sale, which were so delicious. Another club member also made flower-shaped cookies, which were also delicious and so cute,” Ronsse said.

At their May 4 bake sale at Poway Plaza, they raised $250 for the Lucky Duck Foundation, a charity that brings the community together to help the homeless.
Their club treasurer, junior Nicole Yamada, manages the finances and ensures that funds are allocated where needed.
“I have always been good at managing money, and I’m looking to pursue a career in finance,” Yamada said.

Yamada contributes to the baking side too.
“I think everything our club has baked has been delicious, but my favorite was the Rice Krispies or our snickerdoodles from our bake sale,” Yamada said.
They meet on the last Friday of every month in room J-03 at lunch.
The club is welcoming, and students can just walk in and join a community with people who have an interest in baking and spreading kindness.