BASKING RIDGE, NJ — Ridge High School Sophomore Sophi Ahmad is combining her passion for baking with her desire to do good in the world and make a difference in her newest endeavor called “Cakes for a Cause NJ.”
“Cakes for a Cause NJ” allows locals to order a cake or sweet treat from Ahmad while donating to a cause of their choosing.
“It’s not just for one specific cause. I wanted to do this type of thing where you choose what cause most aligns with your beliefs. I have a charity menu. And essentially, people who order can choose which charity they want their donation to go to,” said Ahmad. “That way it kind of resonates with the customer more, and it encourages people to donate more because it’s a cause that they feel strongly about.”
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Ahmad came up with the idea after Covid. She had always enjoyed the culinary arts, especially baking. However, during Covid, Ahmad really got into baking.
“I really enjoyed baking, but I wanted to pair it up with something that would have a better impact on the full community, rather than just, profits going right to me,” said Ahmad.
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She then expanded on this idea to allow the client to have “the power to choose their own charity to inspire a greater giving.”
On New Year’s Eve in 2023, Ahmad launched Cakes for a Cause NJ.
Here’s how it works. When people order baked goods from Ahmad, she doesn’t collect any money from them. Customer pick a charity they want to support and donate the prescribed amount. They send Ahmad the receipt or screenshot that they made the donation and then pick up their goods.
All of the cakes, cupcakes, brownies are 100 percent customizable as well.
“It’s been a really good year. We have raised $2,500 this year,” said Ahmad. “I really love it.”
Ahmad has always been community service-oriented. Currently, she is one of the officers in the Big Sibling program, which is where a high school student gets paired with an elementary or middle school student to serve as a mentor or tutor.
She is also part of an organization called Trap where she plays violin and sings. They have volunteer performances and she also helps mentor kids how to play an instrument for free as well.
She is always volunteering whether at elementary school concerts or helping at a music camp.
“I really enjoy it,” said Ahmad.
Ahmad’s mother Fakhra added that Sophi “makes zero income from this and in fact used her own money for start-up costs.”
“She finds it truly rewarding to make a difference in the world while doing something she loves,” said Fakhra.
For more information on Cakes for a Cause NJ or to order a cake visit cakesforacausenj.com or instagram.com/cakesforacausenj.
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