Drop In and Decorate---Cookies for Donation

I first heard of this fantastic organization about a year ago. I was smack dab in the end-of-the-year craziness in the slow cooking challenge, and instead of jumping in to help, I merely bookmarked the website.
This year is different. This year I look forward to making a bunch of plain cookies, and working with our Girl Scout Troop to decorate them for a good cause. I used to run a child care center that served homeless families, and I'm looking forward to bundling our cookies up to bring to some very deserving children and families.

There are very few rules, which is why I really, really like this project. You don't need to bake (unless you want to). You don't need to make your own icing (unless you want to). All you need is a few of your favorite friends, and an open and giving heart.

My friend, Lydia, started Drop in and Decorate in 2007. It has grown phenomenally. Here's a bit of background on this not-for-profit organization: Collapse

Drop In & Decorate is a tax-exempt nonprofit organization.

Founded by food writer Lydia Walshin of The Perfect Pantry. The idea behind Drop In & Decorate is simple: bake some cookies; gather a group of family, friends, neighbors, co-workers, your worship group or book group to decorate the cookies together; donate the cookies to a nonprofit agency serving basic human needs in your own community.

It’s a simple idea in a complicated world, and something anyone can do.

If you’d like to host your own Drop In & Decorate® event, Pillsbury and Wilton would like to help.

Pillsbury has donated 50 VIP coupons, worth $3.00 each, off any Pillsbury product -- including sugar cookie mix and icing -- to be distributed, first come, first served, while supply lasts, to anyone who plans to host a Drop In & Decorate event (max. 5 coupons per person). And we'll include a Comfort Grip cookie cutter, donated by Wilton, to people who plan to host cookies-for-donation events.

Write to lydia AT ninecooks DOT com for more info on how to get your free coupons and cookie cutters.

My girls are quite excited to participate in this event. While I type this, they're looking over my shoulder and would like to do it twice---once with the girl scouts, and again with friends and family.

Thank you to Lydia for this fantastic way to give back to the local community, and for providing a beautiful opportunity to make a difference while creating family memories.

xoxo steph

Do you love this article?

Please share it with your friends!

Posted by: Stephanie O'Dea | A Year of Slow Cooking at November 15, 2009

Labels: baking, BlogHer, challenge, company favorites, fun stuff,

What they say about this article

Lydia11/15/2009
Can't wait to see what beautiful cookies you and the girls will create! Thank you so much for helping to spread the word about Drop In & Decorate. Wouldn't it be fun if one of your readers decorates and donates the 10,000th cookie?
Theresa11/15/2009
Hey Stephanie, I ordered 5 of your cookbooks from Amazon.com for Christmas gifts. Oh and one for myself:) Have a blessed day!
Carol11/15/2009
This looks like a great idea. I was wondering what icing is recommended for these. I have a royal type that would work and set up well but my family prefers the soft can't stack type. Any suggestions?
Stephanie ODea11/15/2009
It would be neat, Lydia!

Wow, Theresa, thank you so much!!

Carol, I think it's up to you and how you package the cookies. If you decide to wrap them individually, the frosting might stick to the cellophane if it's soft. If you're brining the cookies spread out on a plate, I don't think using the soft frosting would matter.

xoxo steph
Jessica Nunemaker11/15/2009
That's a really neat idea.

I'm going to have to read some more. I want to do something that *means* something this holiday season.

Thanks for sharing that link!
Toni11/15/2009
What a fabulous idea! I'll be talking to my gal pals about getting together to do this. I love it. I love doing nice things. Someday I'll come up with these fantastic, lovey dovey, warm and fuzzy ideas. For now though I'll just enjoy participating.
me11/16/2009
I am a long time lurker - great blog!

I wanted to remind all the people that want to help out but do not have time this year to have one of these party's can still make a difference.

Food banks all over the country are empty...not because people aren't donating but because there has been a huge increase in families who NEED to use them (we have seen a 425% increase this year!). Please consider dropping off a check or a bag of non-perishable items. Diapers are also always needed and appreciated.

Cookies are a fabulous fun idea and I encourage you to support Drop In and Decorate BUT if you happen to be short on time, please try and do something less time consuming this holiday season. It makes a huge difference.

Thanks!!
Anonymous11/16/2009
Thanks for being a Girl Scout Leader
Anonymous11/17/2009
It is certainly interesting for me to read this post. Thank you for it. I like such themes and anything that is connected to them. I would like to read more soon.