An unusual start to this year’s bake sale was the uncertainty of not knowing if the event would even occur. The reason is because Providence Hall, one of the sisters’ main residential buildings, is undergoing a major renovation and that resulted in many of the sisters’ living quarters being relocated.
“We don’t have the resources we had last year,” Sister Martha Ann noted, alluding to the smallness of kitchenettes in some of the living quarters where many of the sisters now reside. But like so many of the sisters do when faced with challenges, they forged ahead and persevered. For example, Sister Martha Ann said Sister Rose Marita Riordan ended up going to Clinton to make her delicious Irish Soda Bread at the home of sisters who reside there.
People who come to the bake sale annually know to arrive early. This year, they again will fill bags and box lids with homemade cakes, pies (pumpkin, pecan and apple), cookies, coffee cake, peanut butter fudge, truffles, rum cakes, date bread, jams, jellies and more.
Leave it to those living near the sisters to lend a hand. Donald Sullivan, who resides just north of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods on U.S. 150 donated apples and pears from fruit trees on his property. Sister Martha Ann said those fruits are being turned into pear butter, apple butter and apples pies. Also, Tony Venardi, who drives the transportation bus for health care, donated grapes and pears which will be used in making bake sale items.
So why is it that people seem to mark the bake sale as a not-to-miss event on their calendars?
“I think it’s because of good food at good prices,” Debbie said, noting prices range from approximately 50 cents on up. All bake sale proceeds benefit Sisters of Providence ministries.
“The bake sale also helps cut down on the work during the holidays for people,” Debbie added. “Plus, it benefits a worthy cause. Everybody wins.”
Sister Martha Ann agreed. “People look forward to it,” she said, “and we know people appreciate it.”
For more information about the bake sale, call The Gift Shop at 812-535-2947, 1-866-996-2947 (toll free) or e-mail
giftshop@spsmw.org.