Through fantastic people I’ve met through yoga, naturally, I’m helping with the Bakesale for Japan on April 2, 2011, one week from today.  This is a grassroots effort, spearheaded by Samin Nosrat, Berkeley-based cook and educator and all-around kick-ass creative mastermind.  Samin did a bakesale at the time of the Haiti earthquake and managed to raise about $23K.  This time, what started as a bakesale in about four locations in the SF Bay Area has gone viral and is taking place at 34 locations across the country and counting.

“there’s a whole community here that’s thinking of you”

The Bakesale for Japan has gone viral because we all want to come together to do something to help, and what better way than with a bakesale?  This is so easy, so familiar to most of us, and so grounded in community.

In addition to selling baked goods, we’ll also be folding paper cranes to send to Japan.

Yes, this is about raising money for much-needed aid, but it’s also — most importantly — about extending our hands, demonstrating our caring, to the people of Japan suffering so much in the aftermath of the earthquake, tsunami and now the nuclear nightmare.  All proceeds will benefit Peace Winds Japan.

There’s plenty of time to get involved.  Check Bakesale for Japan for a location near you.  You can volunteer, bake, come fold cranes, donate directly through the Bakesale website.  If you want to do your own, do it!  There are resources on the site and you’ll find that people will be delighted to help.

To hear more from Samin directly, check out this little interview by Ginger Coy of Bay Shakti.