While some people may feel this problem is too big, overwhelm can keep us stuck.
I recently recorded a podcast episode for United Women in Faith on human trafficking. Human trafficking is the exploitation of a person’s labor through coercion, power and control. According to the National Black Women’s Justice Institute, it includes inducing, recruiting and/or transporting persons by force, fraud or coercion a person into sexual acts or labor against their will. It can include sexual exploitation as well as labor exploitation. I acknowledge that topics such as this can be triggering. Please do whatever you need to do to care for yourself and feel free to click off of this content if doing so supports your overall well-being.
Why Focus on Human Trafficking?
The U.S. State Department notes that there are 27.6 million victims of human trafficking worldwide at any given time. It is happening under our noses with all people, of all ages, of all backgrounds, and of all nationalities being vulnerable to trafficking. While some people may feel this problem is too big, overwhelm can keep us stuck. If we all engage, we can make a difference. The key is that we can contribute in our own unique ways. That’s exactly what Freedom a la Cart and Abolition Bakery are doing.
Local Bakeries Making a Difference
When many of us think of bakeries, we think of places we can go to grab a sweet treat. But you can patronize a bakery while also supporting victims of human trafficking. In Ohio, I’m aware of two bakeries working on this issue: Freedom a la Cart and Abolition Bakery. If you know of others bakeries in Ohio or in another part of the country, please email us at info@thebestbakeriesin.com.
Freedom a la Cart
Freedom A la Cart is a nonprofit organization which began in 2008. It is a catering business, a café and bakery, and a champion for survivors of sex trafficking. While they are a nonprofit, they are also a social enterprise with 55% of their revenue generated from the catering, and the café and bakery. It beautifully combines fresh, made-from-scratch cuisine with workforce training for local survivors of human trafficking. Patronizing the business allows one to simultaneously enjoy a meaningful meal and contribute to the restoration of human beings.
“In addition to our services, our patrons love the fact that we make delicious food,” said Paula Haines, executive director of Freedom a la Cart. “We’ve always been committed to delicious food. People come because they hear about the mission. But they come back because we deliver an exceptional product, and build strong relationships with customers and survivors.”
You can learn more about Freedom a la Cart here.
Abolition Bakery
Rita Ballanger founded Abolition Bakery in 2013. From the start, the at-home baker began donating proceeds from her sales to organizations serving human trafficking survivors. Abolition’s website notes that its purpose is to raise awareness around human trafficking and to serve organizations that support human trafficking survivors. They offer sourdough bread, biscotti, cookies, and beautiful cupcake bouquets. While I’ve not had a chance to patronizing them soon.
You can learn more about Abolition Bakery here.
If you are not able to physically visit these establishments, consider ordering online or donating to their mission and work. And if you or someone you know is being trafficked, please dial the human trafficking hotline 888-373-7888.
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