On a cold December morning, as holiday lights flicker along Westminster Street, Oberlin is preparing for something outside of their delicious culinary dishes. The acclaimed downtown restaurant is getting ready to host its first-ever Providence Community Bake Sale, a collaborative fundraising event benefiting the Rhode Island Community Food Bank and Southside Community Land Trust. For a restaurant that has garnered national praise—from Bon Appétit’s Hot Ten to a rare New York Times Critics’ Choice review—the decision to host a simple bake sale may sound surprising. But to Oberlin’s team, it felt not only appropriate but necessary.
When I asked Bethany Caliaro, Service + Wine Director and Co-owner, why a bake sale resonated, she didn’t hesitate.
“Bake sales have a long history of bringing people together,” she explained. “This format resonates with people of all ages and income levels—you don’t need to spend a lot of money to participate.”
That accessibility was key. With funding cuts affecting nonprofits and SNAP benefits tightening for many Providence residents, Oberlin recognized the need for an event that welcomed everyone—not just those who could afford a special evening out. A bake sale, with its nostalgia and simplicity, offered a kind of all-inclusive event. “We felt the need to pivot from doing a glitzy New Year’s Eve event this year,” they said. “It felt more important to put our effort into something that would contribute to our community.”
One of Oberlin’s biggest inspirations was pastry chef and activist Natasha Pickowicz, whose Great NYC Bake Sale has raised significant funds for grassroots food organizations. “We were heavily inspired by Natasha Pickowicz and her Great Bake Sale,”Bethany noted. “She’s been hosting it in New York for years. We saw the overwhelming need for community support right now and felt compelled to do something similar in Providence.” The translation of that inspiration into Providence’s own food scene feels natural—in a city where farmers, bakers, chefs, and neighborhood advocates often work side by side.
Although this event is new, the support behind it looks like a snapshot of Providence’s vibrant and tight-knit food community. Frank & Lauries, Moonrose Farm, Big Feeling, Club Frills, and several other local restaurants are contributing baked goods—from classic pastries to imaginative seasonal treats.
Add coffee from Enjoy Coffee, tea from Black Leaf Tea, and a DJ set by Piccolo, and the restaurant transforms into a playful, come-as-you-are community hub. Families are encouraged to attend; there’s even a free coloring station for children, making the experience welcoming to everyone. Entry is free. Every purchase supports two organizations currently navigating deep funding cuts while continuing to serve thousands of residents through food distribution, urban farming, education, and community support.
The Providence Community Bake Sale is really about more than cookies or cakes. It’s about the warmth of a shared effort during a cold season. It’s about regular restaurant goers supporting the restaurant they love, and the restaurant turning that support outward. It’s about creating a space where no contribution is too small and every act of generosity is amplified.
Above all, it’s about neighbors taking care of neighbors in the most Providence way possible: by gathering around good food.
Providence Community Bake Sale
Oberlin — 266 Westminster Street
Saturday, December 13
11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Free to enter. Coloring station for children.
Purchase Tickets in Advance here.
All proceeds benefit the Rhode Island Community Food Bank and Southside Community Land Trust.
Margaret Rizzuto is a photographer with over 15 years of capturing the beauty of food and people. As a Brooklyn-born Italian, her love of food runs deep. Margaret relocated to Providence in 2020 and quickly fell in love with the city—especially its vibrant food scene. When asked how she enjoys life in Providence, her response is always the same – “It’s so easy to be here!” which is a reflection of the city’s welcoming nature, its people, and the incredible foods. www.margaretrizzuto.com @aprovidencepalate
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