• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Nashville Wraps StoreNashville Wraps Blog

Creative Gift Wrapping Ideas & Inspiration

  • Blog Topics
    • How Tos
    • Featured Customers
    • Retail Business
      • Offering a Gift Wrapping Service
      • Custom Printed Packaging
      • Gift Basket Tips
      • gift & gourmet business
      • Social Media
      • Economy
      • Marketing Tips
      • Packaging
    • trends
    • Weddings
    • Eco-News
      • eco-friendly packaging
      • recycled plastic bags
      • recycling
      • sustainability
    • USA
    • Robby’s Notes
  • How-To Videos
  • FREE Tools
    • Printables
    • Cello Bag Sizer
  • Shop Now
    • Shop All Products
    • Closeouts
    • Specials
  • Shopping CartShopping Cart

March 9, 2012 By Buffie Baril 2 Comments

The Joplin Tornado Inspired One Little Baker to Get Cookin’

Share
Tweet
Share
Pin
Email
0 Shares
Tabitha's Bakesale

When an EF5 tornado hit Southwest Missouri May 22, 2011, one 12-year-old girl knew she had to make a difference. Tabitha Neuenschwander, a Joplin native, saw the tornado devastate the home of her older brother. Since then, she has spent her time raising money for the victims.

Because Tabitha didn’t initially know how to help, her mom Lesli asked her, “What would you miss most if you lost everything?” Tabitha’s immediate answer was, “My pets!” So she focused her fundraising efforts on helping kids who lost their pets get new ones to help comfort them during this tragic time.

Tabitha’s Bakesale was born out of her love for baking. Tabitha loves making homemade baked goods and gift baskets. This internet-savvy girl took her love of baking a step further, creating her own website selling “virtual” treats – with zero calories! – for people to choose from as they make donations. So far, she’s raised over $1,200 including donations for the gift baskets from restaurants and businesses nationally and internationally, including Nashville Wraps.

Tabitha uses the money she raises to buy $10 PetSmart gift cards for kids to purchase hamsters, reptiles, birds and supplies. She also encourages pet adoption at local shelters for dogs and cats. Initially, they had to wait to distribute the cards and pet baskets until families were out of FEMA trailers and into permanent housing.

She sells her baked goods at an event in downtown Joplin called ‘Third Thursday’. It starts in early Spring, and ends in early Winter. Tabitha is a smart marketer and uses Facebook to post where and when she will be having her bake sales.

Her next goal is to post flyers. However, she needs Epson brand ink and is hoping to receive donations for ink cartridges, along with chocolate chips for cookies. She said she always runs out of chocolate chips. Her current goal is to have a giant bake sale to benefit the city so a lot of people can bake and contribute.

Joplin, MissouriShe said the biggest need currently in Joplin is housing. Many people still don’t have a place to live. Also, many rebuilt homes still don’t have landscaping. Pictured to the left is the aftermath of the Joplin tornado (Note: the little girl is not Tabitha).

Once the children of Joplin no longer need pets, Tabitha would like to continue her bake sales to raise money for children affected by natural disasters wanting pets all across the country. She would also like to set up a pet food pantry to help families temporarily until they can get on their feet again.

Tabitha’s advice for other kids interested in helping their communities is to pick something they are best at and never be afraid just because you’re a kid. Have the courage to contact businesses too. She said most companies are happy to help.

Tabitha's Bakesale AdBuffie Baril
Internet Advertising Manager
Nashville Wraps

Buffie Baril

Buffie Baril helps with digital marketing, online advertising, social media & content creation along with search engine optimization for Nashville Wraps. She loves learning, interior design, Apples to Apples and most of all her fabulous husband and three brilliant and very funny children.

More Posts - Website

Share
Tweet
Share
Pin
Email
0 Shares

Filed Under: Featured Customers, Packaging Tagged With: Joplin tornado, Tabitha's Bakesale

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Tabitha Neuenschwander says

    March 9, 2012 at 2:06 pm

    THANK YOU so much for the awesome article!! I am working on making gourmet dog treats to sell too–so our furry friends can have something special. All proceeds go toward pet supplies to give away! ^__^

    Reply
  2. brett says

    March 9, 2012 at 10:44 am

    Great story. It’s encouraging to hear good things about our children.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Get the Catalog

Get a Free Nashville Wraps Catalog

Search

Subscribe

Questions about our products?

Call Customer Care!
8 AM - 5 PM CST
800-547-9727

Blog topics

Footer

Be Sociable

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Copyright © 2023 NASHVILLE WRAPS. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
PRIVACY POLICY | TERMS OF USE
Log in