What started as small bake sales in ninth grade soon grew into something much bigger for Scarsdale students Catherine Zhang and Chenyu Li. After raising funds to help renovate their local Girl Scout House, the two friends realized they could turn their passion for baking into a way to support causes across their community. That spark became Bakes4Good, a student-led baking business dedicated to creating desserts that make a difference.
Today, Bakes4Good includes a team of dedicated junior members — Laura Zou, Una Lyu, Jessica Li, and Claire Zhang — who help prepare treats, run sales, and manage an online ordering site the group built to streamline the process. Together, they hold monthly bake sales that have become a beloved local fixture.
Across 12 sales, Bakes4Good has raised $5,919 in revenue and $4,466 in profit — all donated to organizations making an impact close to home. Their support has reached Girl Scouts of the USA, Scarsdale Edgemont Family Planning Services, The Animal Wellness Institute, and Project Ready, an organization supporting autistic teens.
Bakes4Good has also made a meaningful mark at Feeding Westchester, donating $1,152 to help nourish neighbors across Westchester County. Their generosity extends beyond fundraising: the team has partnered twice with Project Ready to host joint sales that use baking to teach life skills, build confidence, and create community through food.
For Catherine, Chenyu, and the entire Bakes4Good team, baking is more than a hobby — it’s a way to give back, connect with others, and support neighbors in need. Their work shows that when young people come together with creativity and heart, real change — and real joy — can follow.
Feeding Westchester is grateful for their partnership, their leadership, and the sweetness they bring into the world. Bakes4Good hopes to continue growing and contributing even more in the future, one dessert at a time.
