Owner & Baker, Little Tart Bakeshop

STORY: Karon Warren
PHOTOS: Stephen Payne

CAUSES: Planned Parenthood Southeast, The Giving Kitchen, Community Farmers Markets, Wholesome Wave, No Kid Hungry, Refugee and Immigrant Center for Education and Legal Services (RAICES), American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)

For nearly a decade, Sarah O’Brien of Grant Park has searched for ways to make her community better, not just for her own family and employees, but for those living around her. “We want to make the world a better place,” she says. “Whether it’s through providing access to fresh food or to reproductive services or to needed funds during a crisis, the causes we support focus on getting people what they need when they need it.” O’Brien shares what makes volunteering so important to her.

What is one of the most heartwarming moments you have experienced during your volunteer work?

For the past two years, we have organized a citywide cookie grab, which is a bake sale benefitting Planned Parenthood Southeast. Each year, we raise over $26,000 through sales of cookie boxes featuring Atlanta’s best bakers and chefs. Last year, we set out thank-you postcards for customers to fill out for the Planned Parenthood staff. The notes were personal and touching; as I read them, I could see clearly how PPSE had helped many women in my own community.

What is your overall favorite aspect to volunteering with your causes?

I love the way volunteering brings people together. I know how busy small-business owners are, so to see a bunch of us making time to raise money or volunteer for worthy organizations is incredibly encouraging. We all work very hard for the money we make; to see us willingly and without hesitation donating it when folks need it keeps me optimistic about this world.

To get involved with or to donate to these causes, visit the following websites:

plannedparenthood.org 
thegivingkitchen.org
wholesomewavegeorgia.org 
nkhsociety.com/about
raicestexas.org
action.aclu.org