Hi friends.

November makes me happy because I’ve been overhearing a lot about giving and gratitude and looking for ways to share what we have with others. That’s really wonderful. Let’s keep it up all year long! 

I haven’t posted in a little while, as you may have noticed, but I have a better-than-average excuse. About a month ago, a friend asked me to put together a small “book” about pie in order to help raise money at a fundraiser for this amazing organization, the Christadelphian Meal-a-Day Fund of the Americas (heretofore referred to as Meal-a-Day). Meal-a-Day focuses on “doing good works in the name of Jesus” and is involved in many projects throughout the Western Hemisphere. (Click here to find out more.) In particular, this fundraiser will benefit a primary school in Haiti which is completely funded by Meal-a-Day.

Here are a few things you may not know about education in Haiti. (I didn’t.)

Only 67% of primary school age children are enrolled in a school.

Only about 53% of Haitians are literate.

90% of schools are international private schools or are run by churches. (That means only 10% are public.) Many children never have the opportunity to attend school at all. And, of course, the situation has only declined in the aftermath of the 2010 earthquake.

“Currently, about 200 preschool-6^th grade students attend this primary school. This fundraiser will aid the school is many ways: providing salaries for teachers, feeding the students a nutritious meal each day (usually the only daily meal they regularly receive), keeping the lights on longer, and equipping the school with the supplies and resources to continue to grow as a beacon of hope in the community. The school is open to students in the community. Although not required, about 70% of the school’s students go to the church on Sunday. The school is becoming a well recognized place of spiritual refuge that educates and empowers local children, who otherwise wouldn’t have the opportunity to get an education.”

Since I truly believe that making pie is all about sharing anyway, I came up with a little book about how to make pie-it’s got lots of tips and tricks that I’ve heard or read, pictures of some pies I’ve baked, and a completely original recipe for Caramel Apple Cider Pie. All proceeds will go towards the primary school in Haiti. If you don’t live in New Jersey or aren’t available on the 16th of November, you might not be able to attend. That’s alright (however, you’re going to miss out on some great homemade pie that I happen to know will be ending the dinner. And no, I’m not making said pies and flying them across the country. But there will be great pie, all the same.) If you are interested in making a donation to Meal-a-Day, I would be SO happy to say thank you by sending you a copy of “Love in a Crust” (that’s the working title, at least.) I’ll post more information when the book(lets? I still don’t know what to call them) are formatted and ready to go, and November 16th has come and gone. For now, if you could leave a comment letting me know you’re interested, I’ll have a better idea of how many copies to print. And I will be much obliged.

For those of you who actually live in New Jersey, please support the “Help for Haiti Banquet” on Saturday, November 16th. The banquet will take place from 5:00pm to 7:30pm at 322 South Morris St., Randolph, NJ 07869. The evening will include dinner, musical performances, and a presentation about the wonderful progress the Christadelphian Meal-a-Day Fund has seen in the Haitian school and ecclesia over the last 3 years. All are welcome to attend. Tickets will be $10 per person. All proceeds will go to Christadelphian Meal-A-Day Fund of the Americas.