Yesterday was a big day in our house — and in our oven.
We spent the better part of the day baking twenty loaves of sourdough bread, with one special mission: to deliver fresh-baked love to our community through the Flemington Food Pantry and the seven Little Pantries around town.
As many of you know, the Flemington Area Food Pantry is an incredible resource, helping hundreds of local families facing food insecurity. But — like every place — it has its schedule. The Pantry is closed on Fridays, even though the need for food doesn’t take a day off.
That’s where the Little Pantries come in: seven small, free-standing boxes scattered around Flemington where people can pick up essentials 24/7. No paperwork, no judgment — just neighbors helping neighbors.
We decided that these Little Pantries needed a little extra something this Friday. A little comfort, a little handmade care. A little sourdough.
Baking Bread, Baking Lessons
Sage, my two-year-old daughter, was my official helper for the day.
At this age, it can be hard for little ones to fully grasp big concepts like hunger, community service, or giving without expecting anything in return. But that’s exactly why it’s so important to start early.
We talked about how sometimes people need help, and how even something simple — like a warm, crusty loaf of bread — could mean the world to someone who is hungry, tired, or just needs to feel remembered.
Sage helped with the deliveries, carrying her own little bag of mini-loaves, carefully placing one in each Little Pantry we visited. She took her “job” seriously, checking each pantry box to make sure everything fit neatly. And at the end of the trip, she stood proudly, gave a little bow, and said, “We did it!”
I couldn’t help but laugh — but inside, my heart was so full.
She got it. Maybe not all the details yet. But the feeling? The joy of giving? The connection to others? That was already taking root.
Why Empathy Needs to Be Shown, Not Just Told
One thing parenting has taught me is this:
Toddlers learn empathy by seeing it, not just hearing about it.
You can tell a toddler to be kind all day long, but what really shapes them is watching kindness in action — feeling it, being part of it, and experiencing the joy it brings.
On days like this, when we act with love toward people we don’t even know, we give our kids the chance to feel the magic of empathy firsthand. It’s not just about “doing the right thing.” It’s about feeling connected to others, understanding that even small actions ripple outward, and learning that every person matters.
Even a loaf of bread can carry a message:
“You are seen. You are cared for. You are not alone.”
Final Thoughts
Twenty loaves might not change the world.
But they might brighten someone’s Friday.
And they already changed our Friday — they made it unforgettable.
I hope as Sage grows, she remembers days like this. I hope the smell of baking bread always reminds her that we have the power to make someone’s day better — and that helping others is one of the greatest joys in life.
Because whether you’re two years old or two hundred, the truth remains:
