FoodWorks Alliance- Sweet Life Baking Co. Newsletter March- June 2025
Published 7 months ago • 7 min read
March- June 2025
From the Desk of our Director
Happy Summer Foodworks Friends!
Summer has really kicked off with a HEAT WAVE of epic proportions but inside the walls of Foodworks Alliance the temperature controlled warehouse is nice and cool (for our clients to store their precious ingredients).
Today, I want to spend my director’s note with a very important message. This Spring, Foodworks Alliance went through some challenging financial times. As we were celebrating our 10 year anniversary, we were also holding our breath that things would be able to continue on in the same way. We were at a place where we were unsure if we would be able to continue hiring women into our workforce re-entry training program, Recovery with a Purpose.
At the end of April, we sent a rally call out to the community at large. We started a crowdfunding campaign and began sharing it heavily. We raised $2,163.25 from our community directly! This was HUGE for us! It may or may not seem like a lot of money to some of you, but when it comes from individual donations, from regular community members, it represents GREAT support to which we are SUPER grateful!
In addition to this, the Muskingum County Community Foundation sent out a call to their Donor Advised Funds and to our grateful astonishment, we were informed that they collectively were able to donate $11,000! Again, this was a HUGE help to our organization to keep the doors open and staff paid.
This whole experience paved the path for other collaborative conversations that will continue to be revealed and deployed over the next several months, but I wanted to be sure to share our IMMENSE GRATITUDE for all the support we received at this critical time.
THANK YOU SO MUCH TO:
MCCF - Donor Advised Funds Group
Christian Cleveland
Lance Comstock
Janice McCloud
Ronald Schwarz
Double Tap Farms
Stephanie Bridwell
Allison Blagg
Tara Poorman
Donald Aitken
Heather Dolen
Sarah Linn
Several Anonymous Donors - You know who you are!
WE APPRECIATE YOU!
We continue to need support to keep the RWAP program going. If you’d like to contribute to help women in this community re-build their lives in the wake of addiction, please consider donating here.
We are overjoyed to express our deepest gratitude to the JW & MH Straker Charitable Foundation for their incredible generosity in supporting FoodWorks Alliance. With their funding, we’ve been able to enhance our facility by acquiring temperature monitors for our coolers and cameras—key improvements that bolster both safety and operational efficiency.
Their unwavering support means so much to us and empowers us to continue serving our community with the highest standards of care. The impactful work of the Straker Charitable Foundation in our region is nothing short of inspiring, and we feel truly privileged to be among the organizations they’ve chosen to support so graciously.
On behalf of the entire FoodWorks Alliance team, thank you for making such a profound difference in our mission with your continued support and in the lives of those we serve!
10 Year Anniversary Open House
Ribbon Cutting with Dana Matz of Zanesville Muskingum County Chamber of Commerce
We are deeply grateful to everyone who joined us and shared their time at our 10th Anniversary Open House on April 17th. Your presence and kind words filled our hearts, reminding us of the incredible community that surrounds and supports our kitchen.
We began with a ribbon cutting ceremony with the Dana Matz of the Zanesville Muskingum County Chamber of Commerce after a tour guided by Director Amy Aurore, we heard from FoodWorks Alliance Clients Meliah Moore of R&R Catering and Thera Snyder of Ohiyo-Pepper Co. They shared how they leverage our services to successfully expand their businesses and pursue their goals. Abby Bechstein of Muskingum Behavioral Health and Housing Coordinater of Naomi House and the impact of the Recovery With a Purpose Training Program on the women we both serve, highlighting how the program fosters confidence and empowers participants as they rebuild their lives.
Abby Bechstein of Muskingum Behavioral Health speaking about the Recovery With a Purpose training program
A special thank you to Farm Credit Mid America for their generous donation—it is because of contributions like these, and the unwavering support from all of you, that we continue to grow.
Director Amy Aurore, presented with a donation from Jenna Brown of Farm Credit Mid America
From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for being part of our journey. Here’s to many more years of togetherness and shared memories!
We’d love for you to bring the whole family and join us for a morning filled with exciting pickleball matches, delicious food, and community fun—all while supporting a great cause!
Date: July 26, 2025
Time: 8 AM - 11 AM
Location: Riverside Park, Zanesville, OH. 43701
What's in store:
Pickleball Tournament – Whether you’re competing or cheering, it’s a guaranteed good time!
Tasty Eats – Enjoy tangy pickles, local food trucks, and plenty of delicious bites.
Family Fun Run & Color Walk- Just $25 for one signup - $75 for a family with a start time of 11am
💡 Why it matters: By attending Picklefest, you’re not just enjoying a day of fun in the sun—you’re making a meaningful impact! Yourparticipation supports FoodWorks Alliance, a nonprofit committed to helping food-related small businesses thrive, maintaining our nonprofit commercial kitchen, and empowering individuals through the Recovery with a Purpose training program—an initiative we hope to sustain long into the future.
Together, we’re building a stronger community where entrepreneurs and individuals seeking a fresh start can succeed.
Join us in celebrating the power of food, connection, and opportunity—we can’t wait to see you there!
Seeking Sponsors, Vendors & Players
Why You Should Attend, Play, Sponsor, or Vend:
Connect – Meet fellow pickleball enthusiasts, local vendors, and amazing sponsors.
Promote Your Business – Engage with the community while supporting the local nonprofit FoodWorks Alliance, which empowers food entrepreneurs and women in recovery. We hope to have you be a part of this event and allow us to celebrate and showcase your business!
Fill out Google forms or mail registration, paper forms, and checks to FoodWorks Alliance at 2725 Pinkerton Lane, Zanesville, Oh. 43701. For more information feel free to reach out by email at foodworks.alliance1@gmail.com or phone at 740-280-6805!
Cake is the word at the 39th Annual Carr Center Cake Auction
Laikkin (left), Alexus (right)
For the 11th consecutive year, we proudly participated in The Carr Center Cake Auction, a highly anticipated event that infuses excitement into the Recovery with a Purpose training program. Baking Cakes for the Sweet Life Baking Co. continues to be a standout favorite among our trainees, offering both creativity and hands-on learning. This year, Tammy, Laikkin, Alexus, and Cristy collaborated with our Kitchen Manager, Roselyn Boston, to master and refine their baking skills. Their efforts culminated in delightful creations for FoodWorks Alliance, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Sands Decker, Zanesville Rotary Club and Brenda Larrick. It’s always a joy to witness the passion and growth that this project inspires!
Laikkin prepping cake pans
Roselyn (left), Laikkin (right)
A New Chapter Begins: Honoring Our Recovery With a Purpose Graduates
FoodWorks Alliance is thrilled to celebrate the incredible achievements of Laikkin, Alexus, and Tammy as they take exciting steps into new jobs, marking a significant milestone in their journey through the Recovery With a Purpose Training Program.
Throughout their time in the program, these remarkable individuals have demonstrated resilience, dedication, and unwavering commitment to personal growth. They have gained valuable skills, built confidence, and embraced new opportunities with determination. Their hard work and perseverance are truly inspiring, and we couldn’t be prouder of all they have accomplished.
Recent Graduate, Tammy
This work wouldn’t be possible without the generosity of our community—your support and donations have empowered these trainees and allowed the continuation of this impactful program. Thank you for believing in second chances and new opportunities!
We wish Laikkin, Alexus, and Tammy success in their new roles and all that lies ahead. Congratulations!
A Sweet Success at the Blackberry Jam Preservation Workshop
What an incredible evening at the Blackberry Jam Food Preservation Workshop on June 5th!
We’re beyond grateful to Ohio State University Extension - Coshocton County educators Emily Marrison and Alexus Masterson for their invaluable expertise. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who attended, contributed, and showed interest—your support made this event truly special. Here's to preserving both flavors and community spirit!
Next Up: Meat & Veggies Preservation Workshop
If you missed out, don’t worry! Our next workshop is just around the corner. Join us on August 7th for an engaging Food Preservation Workshop where we’ll dive into the art of safely preserving meat and veggies. While there won’t be a take-home product, we promise you’ll leave with valuable knowledge—and something delicious to enjoy while you're with us! Register below for a hands-on workshop also in collaboration with OSU Extension Coshocton and led by educators Alexus Masterson & Emily Marrison, this class covers:
-Step-by-step canning methods for safe and effective preservation
-Food safety essentials to ensure quality and longevity
The joy of homemade preservation – because nothing beats farm-fresh flavors all year!
We believe everyone should have access to this kind of learning, regardless of income. If you’re in a position to donate, your contribution will help us cover materials and keep future events free and open to the community. Here is the Foodworks Alliance Paypal Link (suggested donation amount $20 - any increment is helpful!):
Master Food Safety: Join Our ServSafe Certification Event in September!
We are now accepting registrations for the upcoming ServSafe Food Manager event on September 22nd-23rd! This event is designed to meet your food safety certification and re-certification needs.
Held at FoodWorks Alliance, conveniently located at the rear of the Muskingum Valley Health Centers Building, this comprehensive in-person course is perfect for food staff, small business owners, and entrepreneurs. The fee is $200, which includes lunch on both days. The course will conclude with the certification test on the second day.
To learn more or register, call 740-280-6805 or click the button below. Secure your spot today and ensure food safety excellence!
July- October 2025 From The Desk of Our Director Happy Thanksgiving Foodworks Friends! We had a whirlwind of a Summer and we are looking forward to slowing down a little bit and hibernating into the cold weather. After our cry for community support we made last Spring (which you read about in the last newsletter, here), we had a few more conversations with local potential partners. Two of which I would like to highlight today. First, we heard from Kasindra Stewart at the Diversion &...
☀️ Get ready for a fantastic day in the sunshine at the 3rd Annual Picklefest Presented by Bayer Heritage Federal Credit Union! ☀️ We’d love for you to bring the whole family and join us for a morning filled with exciting pickleball matches, delicious food, and community fun—all while supporting a great cause! 📅 Date: July 26, 2025 ⏰ Time: 8 AM - 11 AM 📍 Location: Riverside Park, Zanesville, OH. 43701 🏓 Pickleball Tournament – Whether you’re competing or cheering, it’s a guaranteed good time!...
We Need Your Help! Hey All! This email is coming straight from Amy (the director) today. I've never used this newsletter channel to send out a request for support, but there's a first time for everything, and if there's anything I have learned in this almost three year time of doing this job, is that I am consistently having the opportunity to do things that are outside of my box. I'm excited to share that Foodworks Alliance recently celebrated our 10th Anniversary with a wonderful Open House...
