Carman United Church searching for best cookie
Northside church's contest hopes to raise funds for Sydney Mines Food Bank
SYDNEY MINES — The search is on for the best cookie on the Northside through the Carman Cookie Crumble, a cookie-baking contest hosted by Carman United Church.
The inaugural challenge takes place Dec. 7, welcoming those who love to bake and those who love to eat home-baked cookies as part of church efforts to raise funds and awareness for the Sydney Mines Food Bank.
“I’ve heard of it done in other places, so I thought it would be something fun that we can do around here,” said Rev. Nick Phillips.
“We are raising money for the food bank at an important time of the year for them. We just want to try to have some fun and create some awareness around the needs of the people in our community.”
Phillips said all the churches in Sydney Mines support the food bank in one way or another and the cookie contest is the latest example of support from the Carman United Church.
“We all have our food bank Sundays where people bring in goods and that sort of thing. It is a very busy food bank for a small town.”
All kinds of cookies are welcomed for the upcoming contest, including chocolate lovers, traditional, traditional with a twist, best unexpected ingredient and family favourites.
He said the church has only started getting the word out on the contest, but said response has been positive.
“As I was walking the parade route on Saturday there were a lot of great comments from people thinking it was a great idea, saying they were going to sign up.”
Contest details can be found online at http://carmanunited.ca/cookies. People can also learn more by calling 736-6332. Doors will open at 6 p.m. on Dec. 7, giving people a chance to see the variety of cookies entered and the judging of them. Prizes will be awarded and people will have an opportunity to take some of the cookie creations home.
As part of the contest, a bake auction will be held, giving peo- ple the chance to bid on holiday treats.
“We want more than just the cookies there,” Phillips said.
“We realize Christmas is a busy time and thought some people would like the opportunity to stock up their freezer, their cupboards or their pantry and so we thought we’d include a fun auction where people could bid on some baked goods that will be available and raise a little more money that way.”
The Carman United Sunday school will also set up a table the night of the contest to raise some money for Philippines relief.