Sugar & Stilellos Bake Sale Raises More Than $13K for Westside Hunger Organizations

Motivated by the mission “spreading sweet inspiration one treat at a time," the third annual Sugar & Stilettos Bake Sale Extravaganza exceeded its goal by raising more than $13,000 on May 18 to benefit the Westside Food Bank and St. Joseph Center’s Food Pantry.

Due to the generosity of the event’s donors and attendees, more than 26,000 meals and 1,300 bags of groceries will be provided to women and children suffering from hunger and food insecurity.

“There are literally thousands of working families right in our own backyard who are in desperate need of food assistance,” said Nanci Christopher, actress, writer and founder of Sugar & Stilettos. “As a mother myself, I can only imagine how excruciating it must feel if I wasn’t able to feed my child, which is the reason I started the Sugar & Stilettos Bake Sale Extravaganza three years ago.”

The grassroots bake sale, held in Christopher’s yard, has raised $30,000 to support the two Westside hunger organizations by offering attendees a day of treats and offerings, along with entertainment, celebrities and fun.

On May 18, as more than 300 guests strolled through Christopher’s yard entertained by the melodic sounds of the Crossroads Upper School Jazz Quartet, they sampled goodies from some of L.A.’s top professional bakeries, including Sweet Lady Jane, Jamica’s Cakes, Huckleberry Bakery & Café, Milo & Olive, Clementine, FarmShop, Big Man Bakes, The Cheesecake Factory, Susie Cakes, Bouchon Bakery, Marmalade Café and others.

One of the most exciting moments of the day was the crowning of “Mr. Sugar & Stilettos” 2013, which went to television personality Paul DiMeo of ABC-TV’s “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” who received his size 10-E stilettos, diamond tiara, hot pink sash and coordinating hot pink roses from Actor Steven Weber, the 2012 honoree. Comedian and actor Richard Lewis, “Mr. Sugar & Stilettos” 2011, also was in attendance to launch the festivities.
To watch a video of the “Mr. Sugar & Stilettos” crowing ceremony, visit www.SugarAndStilettos.com.

“I am humbled that Richard, Steven, Paul and my other friends Actors Robert Picardo and Michael Warren came out to support the cause," Christopher added.

In addition, many partnering organizations and businesses were in attendance to support the cause in various ways, including Urban Farming, Lulu's LemonAID and J.D. Luxe fashion truck

“We find that even though many of our recipients are working, often at multiple jobs, they still cannot afford to feed themselves and their children,” said Paul Rubenstein, development director at the St. Joseph Center. “We are incredibly thankful to Nanci and to the generosity of the hundreds of participants who came to today’s event to help us impact more people in need.”

“The effort of everyone involved in Sugar & Stilettos is both incredible and extraordinarily appreciated," said Genevieve Riutort, director of development at Westside Food Bank. "Not only has the event helped us impact more clients than before, but it also has increased awareness about the issue of hunger right here in our own backyard."

To find out how to get involved, or to make a donation to the Westside Food Bank or the St. Joseph Center Food Pantry, please visit www.SugarAndStilettos.com.

Visit the Westside Good Bank here and the St. Joseph Center here.