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Venting--Church wants a huge cake at my expense (for FREE)

post #1 of 50
5/14/11 at 11:03am
Thread Starter 
Greetings All,
I'm just venting right now b/c I'm highly irritated. I just made 43 cupcakes for my church's relay for life bake sale. I bought and spent about $30-40 on supplies alone, let alone a lot of time to make these cupcakes for free. That's not the issue.

The issue is just because I donated cupcakes to help a great cause that I strongly support (Both grandmothers have breast cancer), my church is EXPECTING me to donate cakes and cupcakes for their events. I said, "I'll make anything as long as someone help pay for my supplies." Their response was, "We'll talk about it later."

Cake supplies and stuff isn't free and I'm not a grocery store. I'm not going to make cakes and cupcakes for 400 of our members for free. The least they can do is pay for my supplies. I'm not asking them to pay for labor. I just want someone to pay for the supplies. I feel like they are trying to take advantage of me and I'm not going to stand for it. Especially since before everyone knew I could bake they were spending $60-$80 EVERY Month for a birthday cake for our members, then they should be willing to compensate me. This has to come out of my pocket. If they won't pay, then I'm sorry, I'm NOT doing it.

Here are the cupcakes that I donated this morning: http://cakecentral.com/gallery/2034081 Click on the other photos to see how my hubby & I packaged them.
Angelfire3
A woman is like a teabag. You don't know her strength until she's in hot water." Eleanor Roosevelt

God Is Greater Than Any Problem That You Have.
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Angelfire3
A woman is like a teabag. You don't know her strength until she's in hot water." Eleanor Roosevelt

God Is Greater Than Any Problem That You Have.
Reply
post #2 of 50
5/14/11 at 11:36am
That's the problem with donations. Once you do it, they always look at you like you're the jackpot, endless supply of free whatever. And they get impertinent if you can't do it, complaining that they always get a donation from you for this event and are counting on it.

I stopped donating cakes a long time ago. Cakes are my business, and too valuable to be a donation item unless they want a bundt cake or a plate of cookies for a bake sale. All my donations now are cash. A $20 or even $50 cash donation, to a cause I believe in, is much more palatable to me (and more in line with what everyone else is donating) than $300 worth of cake. And if it's a cause I have no interest in, I tell them I already have a set list of causes that I donate to, and am not adding to that list right now.
Housework makes you ugly.

It's marshmallow, not marshmellow! Aaargh, I have the strangest pet peeves!
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Housework makes you ugly.

It's marshmallow, not marshmellow! Aaargh, I have the strangest pet peeves!
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post #3 of 50
5/14/11 at 1:30pm
Maybe you're reading something into their request that wasn't intended? People often don't understand the time and expense that goes into baking and decorating cakes....they picture themselves mixing up a single Betty Crocker cake mix and think that's all the effort it takes! Instead of being irritated, try thinking of their request as a true compliment. Stick to your guns if you need them to reimburse you for expenses, but do it in a firm but friendly way. icon_smile.gif
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post #4 of 50
5/14/11 at 1:54pm
If you packaged each cupcake like your photos, you need to take the cost of that into consideration also.
I would wait this out. Whomever you talked to at the church about paying for supplies, said we can talk about this later.
If they get back to you and say sorry, they cannot pay for your supplies. You simply say sorry, I cannot afford to do what you are requesting for free.

If you give in and do it for them anyway, you'll be expected to do it on a regular basis.

The ball's in your court...
Respect for ourselves guides our morals; respect for others guides our manners.
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Respect for ourselves guides our morals; respect for others guides our manners.
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post #5 of 50
5/14/11 at 2:05pm
I totally agree with warchild.
Check out my cake blog at: http://adventuresofacakediva.com
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Check out my cake blog at: http://adventuresofacakediva.com
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post #6 of 50
5/14/11 at 2:16pm
Btw, I think your cupcake packaging is lovely. Where did you get those sweet little boxes?
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post #7 of 50
5/14/11 at 2:37pm
I was going to say something similiar to warchilds comment. Shes 100% correct.

If you 'give in' and do what they ask, you'll feel taken advantage of and it just wont sit well with you.

I dont mean to change the subject, but I adore the little bags/boxes you put the cuppies in. Would you mind sharing where you got them? ( crossing my fingers it was on line LOL)
http://jessdesserts.blogspot.com/
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http://jessdesserts.blogspot.com/
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post #8 of 50
5/14/11 at 2:47pm
Thread Starter 
Greetings Folks,
I would like to say thank you for taking the time to read and respond to my vent. Thanks for the words of wisdom. Now, time for my secret! I got my white cake boxes & treat bags from......The Dollar Tree! YEP!
Angelfire3
A woman is like a teabag. You don't know her strength until she's in hot water." Eleanor Roosevelt

God Is Greater Than Any Problem That You Have.
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Angelfire3
A woman is like a teabag. You don't know her strength until she's in hot water." Eleanor Roosevelt

God Is Greater Than Any Problem That You Have.
Reply
post #9 of 50
5/15/11 at 10:54am
I donate when I can to big events. The way I think of it is I get to make a cool big cake that I might not ever get a call from and my big fantastic cake is seem by hundreds of people which gets me more business. Then at least you have a cool photo of a great cake to add to your portfolio! icon_wink.gif
Piece of Cake by Rita
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Piece of Cake by Rita
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post #10 of 50
5/15/11 at 11:17am
And if you do feel the need or desire to donate, its doesn't have to be on such a grand scale. The boxes were cute but you can cut way back on your supply cost by just giving them cupcakes in a standard liner.
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post #11 of 50
5/15/11 at 11:26am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Angelfire3

Greetings All,
I'm just venting right now b/c I'm highly irritated. I just made 43 cupcakes for my church's relay for life bake sale. I bought and spent about $30-40 on supplies alone, let alone a lot of time to make these cupcakes for free. That's not the issue.

The issue is just because I donated cupcakes to help a great cause that I strongly support (Both grandmothers have breast cancer), my church is EXPECTING me to donate cakes and cupcakes for their events. I said, "I'll make anything as long as someone help pay for my supplies." Their response was, "We'll talk about it later."



The way I read this is that you wanted to donate the Cupcakes for Relay for Life, and in my opinion, that means donating the $ and your time.

The real issue is that now they want you to donate "free cake" for every little charity event that comes along. I would tell them that I didnt mind donating to Relay for Life as it is a family supported charity but I only have that charity on my list each year. Then the next time you are asked to do anything other than Relay for Life, ask for your supply money up front and if it doesn't materialize, then neither will the cakes.

It has been my experience that folks will ask anything of you that they think they can get for free and use "Its all for a good cause", well I bet if you have a bank loan officer in your church, they don't expect him to fork over the dough just cause it is laying around at work.

"Crumbsnatchers are everywhere and they come in all disguises"
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post #12 of 50
5/15/11 at 11:48am
Non for profit organizations make money from donations and can also pay for services, do not let them trick you.
Cakesbymara
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Cakesbymara
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post #13 of 50
5/15/11 at 12:31pm
Okay, here are my two cents....
I think you need to talk to the church and say that you can not offer your product for free but will give them a discount (one that you feel comfortable with). You can offer a % or a $ amount depending on the size of order or on any order. Give them your price list and let them decide what they want. This way, you are offering to help but at what is affordabl to you and you won't feel like your taken for granted. If it is somethng dear to you, than you decide what you will donate.
Venturing into the amazing world of cake design and having a blast while doing it
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Venturing into the amazing world of cake design and having a blast while doing it
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post #14 of 50
5/15/11 at 1:21pm
If I were asked to donate something I would for sure want to have a happy heart to do so! If you feel taken advantage of you are not going to have a happy heart. If they ask for it for free then for sure just tell them you can't afford it but you would love to put the time in if they buy ingredients. I hope this all turns out well! I couldn't imagine them just expecting you to donate 50 bucks every time they need some sweets. Keep your spirits up! icon_smile.gif
God is good
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God is good
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post #15 of 50
5/15/11 at 1:39pm
angelfire3. I am a pastor's wife and i am telling you, no dont do it unless they buy the ingredients or pay you for the cakes . I was once a pew member of a church and i did cakes for the church . They provided the ingredients though. but i noticed, like you did they would pay someone outside the church but not me. This is wrong to take advantaged of a church member. they should be supporting you. i would voice my complaint as to why i should do it for free. The church got money. they got a petty cash fund or what ever auillary is doing it, can raise the money. Don't let them take advantage of you. they should be ashamed.
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