Today I posted on a message board lamenting the fact that the cottage foods bill didn't pass here, and I got an interesting email from someone.

He's a volunteer firefighter. He suggested I join his fire department, then make cakes for a donation because as a volunteer I would be allowed to solicit donations for the fire department. His suggestion was that out of the donation, I pay myself for time and supplies, then give part of the money to the department. (His example was sell a cake for $30, keep $10 for supplies and $15 for time and effort, then give $5 to the fire department...his reasoning being that they're desperate for money and $5 going to the fire department would be better than nothing which is what they've got coming in now)

I know making cakes for donations is a no-no when the donations are for yourself. I tried to look it up and it seemed to say that a private kitchen where non hazardous food is prepared for a charitible organization's bake sale is not considered a food establishment and doesn't need to be licensed but I don't know if one cake would be considered a bake sale.

I ordinarily don't have much patience for people looking for loopholes or ways to cheat the system but I'm wondering if this is something that would actually be legal. Besides it would be kinda cool to be a firefighter even a volunteer one.

I really don't see anything wrong with this. It's a great opportunity to make some cakes and raise money for the fire department. It's all positive!