In 2022, Chocoletzle LLC participated in the New Venture Challenge at Central Michigan University in the elevator pitch category. It was such a wonderful experience and we walked away with the 2nd Place Gallery Award and the Audience Choice Award! This year, we are taking it up a notch and competing in the social mission category. Check out what we are pitching this year:

Baking a Difference: A philanthropic program that provides free birthday cakes to youth in foster care in Midland County

why foster youth?

For youth in foster care, birthdays can be a difficult experience. It can cause feelings of resentment, grief, sadness, and painful memories of the family they are separated from. Many youth may have had to move homes right before their birthdays and don't have friends in their new neighborhood to celebrate with. Although the state provides payments for youth in foster care, these payments are quite limited and rarely provide enough to allow for extra spending for holidays and special occasions. As a result, birthdays can cause foster parents financial stress, especially when foster families tend to be larger than average. 

why are birthdays so important to youth?

Birthdays are pivotal moments for kids. When a child feels celebrated, they feel loved and meaningful. Celebrating birthdays strengthens their self esteem and identity by providing them with a special day to create positive memories. 

how can "baking a difference" help?

This program will create a huge impact on youth by showing them that they are important and cared for. By creating a custom birthday cake that is perfectly curated to their favorite colors, hobbies, interests, and more, it will boost their self-esteem by knowing that they are worth celebrating. It's not a birthday without cake and who doesn't love cake?!