Cupcake Shop's Mission To Feed Oklahoma Kids

The Sweetness Factory is bustling with business; hungry folks itching to take a bite into a delicious dessert. But this little cupcake shop just off Main Street in Weatherford isn't your typical eatery.

Thursday, October 3rd 2013, 9:44 pm

By: News 9


The Sweetness Factory is bustling with business; hungry folks itching to take a bite into a delicious dessert. But this little cupcake shop just off Main Street in Weatherford isn't your typical eatery.

"My health wasn't great and I was told I needed to do something and this was my time to do it now," Owner Deb Hanson said.

Battling cancer for a second time, Hanson knew she wanted to leave a legacy by helping others. That's about the time she heard a story that broke her heart.

"I read an article in the newspaper about a little girl who asked for a half-eaten banana from the teacher out of the trash can because she was hungry," Hanson said.

At that moment, Hanson knew she wanted to turn her passion for baking into profit, but not for her.

"I have this crazy idea, I want to do this, but I don't want to get paid for it," Hanson said. "At the end of the day, we cash out our register, we pay our bills and every dime goes forward."

And right to the Regional Oklahoma Food Bank's Food for Kids program.

"I want to feed as many children as possible. That is my goal," Hanson said. "I want no child to be hungry."

10/2/2013 Related Story: Food For Kids Pantries Keeping High School Students Fed

Hanson's dream has come true. In the first nine months Sweetness Factory was open, the business funded 69 backpacks full of food for Custer County kids to take home on the weekends, for the entire school year. A labor of love and Hanson doesn't take the credit.

"We can bake it, but unless they buy it, we can't support it," Hanson said.

Every customer who walks in the doors, knows they're helping feed hungry Oklahoma kids.

"I really like that in my opinion, that's great," 7-year-old Wes Washburn said.

"Deb's giving goes far beyond this even. Her love for this community and beyond is awesome," agreed Christy Freeman.

Read more about News 9 and Food For Kids.

The community has gotten behind Deb's cause. At the end of the night, instead of throwing out the unsold cupcakes and cookies, local business owners buy out the product that's not sold, to give to others. They're called After Hours Angels.

"I've got two kids of my own to see other kids who don't have food. It's heartbreaking," Jake Mills said. "So the little bit we can do with our company is an awesome feeling."

It's the giving spirit, blessing Oklahoma children.

"They just appreciate the food and that they know when they go to bed at night, they don't have to worry if they're going to eat or not," Weatherford Food for Kids Coordinator Barbara Jones said.

"I just want people to realize there is a need," Hanson said. "There is a way we can solve that need. We're just excited to be a part of it."

Deb's goal is to feed all 220 children in the Food for Kids program in Custer County.

Learn more about the Sweetness Factory.

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