Austin Bakes is excited to announce that we will be renewing our partnership with AmeriCares for Austin Bakes for Nepal. For previous bakes sales in which we’ve partnered with AmeriCares, we have donated $11,809 after the 2001 tsunami in Japan and $19,417 following the 2013 chemical plant explosion in nearby West, Texas.

Our goal this time is to raise $20,000 for Nepal at Saturday’s bake sales or through online giving by the end of May. That number may seem high for a bake sale, but we are determined to break our record for the good of Nepal. We’re confident that Central Texans and our friends elsewhere will all come together to reach that goal!

Why AmeriCares?

AmeriCares has a proven track record of success supporting disaster relief and is consistently ranked highly for their transparency and accountability, with 97% of all expenses going directly to support relief programs. For every $1 donated to AmeriCares, $20 worth of aid can be delivered, including medicines, medical supplies, and support for international medical teams on the ground throughout the hardest hit areas of Nepal (read more about their work in Nepal on their site). That means if we’re successful in reaching our $20,000 fundraising goal, Austin Bakes for Nepal will be helping to send over $400,000 in emergency relief to the people of Nepal. AmeriCares has been working on the ground in the United States since the 1980s, providing medical aid, relief supplies and health care in crisis situations and where there are long term needs for support. Their operational model is time-tested, and the organization has won national recognition for its efficient use of funds and successful humanitarian work. AmeriCares has the infrastructure in place to accept a large gift from Austin Bakes for Nepal and to use the funds efficiently where they’re needed most. The organization is a 501(c)3 non-profit, so gifts towards their efforts in Nepal are tax-deductible. (More about that in a moment.) They have an extensive, transparent record of their financial information, including annual audits published online.

How to Give

Businesses and individuals supporting Austin Bakes for Nepal can give to the AmeriCares via cash, check and our online giving page. Each bake sale location has committed lead volunteers who will be responsible for managing individual gifts and ensuring that they are accounted for at the end of the fundraiser. We have a game plan in place to track donations, report them transparently, and to make sure every penny ends up safely in AmeriCares’ hands.Austin Bakes for Nepal is a donation-based bake sale. That means instead of listing prices on each item, we’ll look to customers to decide the value of their purchase and support relief efforts in Nepal accordingly. We’ll accept cash and checks made out to AmeriCares at the various bake sale locations in and around Austin. Supporters who wish to make a gift by credit card may do so at the Austin Bakes for Nepal FirstGiving page. We’ll be able to make change and break some large bills at the bake sale next Saturday, but we are asking customers who are able to please bring exact change or a check made out to the AmeriCares. Here is detailed information about our handling procedures for gifts:

• Cash: all cash collected before and during the bake sale will be combined into a money order, payable to AmeriCares, after the bake sale on Saturday,  May 23rd. We will give the money order, along with all checks, to AmeriCares that day. Donors who give cash will not receive a receipt for their personal gift, but they will be able to see how much cash we raised collectively when we report the amount on here our blog and on our FirstGiving online giving page.

• Checks: should be made to “AmeriCares” with Nepal written in the memo line. We will keep a log on our FirstGiving page of all checks that we receive. That way, donors can be sure that we have received their gift and see how their contribution has increased our total fundraising. We will give all checks to AmeriCares on Tuesday, May 26th. AmeriCares will deposit the checks and mail each donor a gift receipt for tax purposes.

• Online: gifts in any amount can be made securely online at our FirstGiving page using a credit or debit card. Donors will receive two emails confirming their gift to AmeriCares: one immediately after their information has been received, and a second email confirming that their card was successfully charged for the gift. Donors can see their contribution on the Austin Bakes for Nepal FirstGiving page, and their support will count towards our overall goal to raise 20,000 for the Nepal earthquake relief efforts. If your employer has a matching funds program, you’ll have to option to include that information when you donate.