For those wishing to give holiday gifts that are accompanied by a sense of fulfillment, look no further than Connie’s Bakery, which was started six years ago by lawyer and philanthropist Connie Milstein. The bakery, cupcakery and gift store donates 100 percent of its net profits to a charity of the store’s choice, a fact that often catches first-time shoppers off guard.

“It takes a while because people are so skeptical, it’s hard to believe that 100 percent of the profits,” said Loraine Judelman, an employee at Connie’s Bakery. “But once they understand the mission, they embrace it.”

Not only does the bakery give its profits to a community charity, but it also runs an apprenticeship program. Each year, the bakery’s executive pastry chef, Simeon Manber, chooses one local to spend the year working full-time in the bakery and learning skills ranging from baking and pastry preparation to time management, business management and self-confidence.

The source of inspiration for such a generous bakery and business model comes in part from Connie Milstein, who works in New York City’s real estate and property development industry as an attorney and senior business executive. Connie is also a well-known philanthropist; she donates her time to a variety of causes including Blue Star Families, the Humpty Dumpty Institute and Ford’s Theatre, located in Washington, D.C.

For those holiday shoppers who just aren’t sure what to give this season, choose Connie’s Bakery – the delicious gift that keeps on giving long after the sweets have disappeared.

Simeon Manber, executive pastry chef at Connie’s Bakery in Mount Kisco, NY, recently spoke about his admiration for the bakery’s owner, Connie Milstein, and the sense of fulfillment gained by helping others in the local community. Connie’s Bakery is a socially-responsible bakery and gift shop located about an hour north of Manhattan in Mount Kisco. The bakery’s second location, which opened in 2006, is located in the main lobby of the Northern Westchester Hospital. Both stores, which specialize in hand-made cookies, cakes, pies, and tarts, aim to make as much money as possible – just to give it all away. One-hundred percent of the bakeries’ net profits are distributed to six different partner charities each year.

Chef Manber has worked at Connie’s Bakery since the store opened seven years ago. The job was perfect for the Culinary Institute of America graduate, allowing him to combine his love of baking with his passion for social work. Each year, Manber selects an individual to work in the shop as part of a one-year, full-time baking apprenticeship. Over the course of the year, the apprentice will not only learn the finer points of baking and pastry preparation, but will also learn skills like time management, business management and self confidence. Manber works with these employees at the end of their apprenticeships to find jobs at a higher level in the food service industry.

This commitment to philanthropy and service on behalf of Connie’s Bakery comes in part from the bakeries’ owner. Connie Milstein works in New York City’s real estate and property development industry as an attorney and senior business executive. In addition to Connie’s Bakery, Milstein is a well-known philanthropist and patron of education, arts and sciences. She is active on a number of boards including Blue Star Families, the Humpty Dumpty Institute and Medical Missions for Children.

For more information, visit the Connie’s Bakery website or view the bakeries’ menu.

The cookies that you buy today just might help someone else to have a hot meal tomorrow.  That’s because Connie Milstein and Connie’s Bakery and General Store donate 100% of their after-tax profits from the store to six charitable non-profits.  They do so with the Foundation of Sweet Success and they select different organizations each year to receive the donations.

This year, Meals-on-Wheels of White Plains is one of the recipients of the Foundation Sweet Success money. They are a non-profit organization that delivers food and companionship to people who might otherwise be alone and hungry all day.

Their services are available for anyone living in the city of White Plains who can’t shop for meals for themselves or who can’t prepare their own meals.  This is regardless of age or income.  They accept referrals from all sorts of locations including doctors, hospitals, social workers, family and more.

Their volunteers deliver two nutritious meals, planned by a professional dietician, a day to homebound individuals.

Connie Milstein, owner of Connie’s Bakery and General Store, selects six non-profit organizations each year to be Charitable Patners.  All profits from the bakery are distributed among these six charities.  In addition, Connie’s Bakery and General Store promotes their partners on their website to draw attention to the great work they are accomplishing.

One of these partners, the Veteran’s Hospital of Castle Point, provides health care for America’s Veterans.  The hospital, located along the Hudson River in Dutchess County, New York, provides a large array of services to veterans who have given their time to their country.  In addition to the health care, research and education offerings from the hospital, they are a back up for national emergencies and an active community partner.

In an innovative and fun way to help people, Connie Milstein founded Connie’s Bakery and General Store. At Connie’s every purchase is in support of charitable organizations because all profits are donated to a variety of causes which directly help people in the community.

Located in Mt. Kisco, New York, Connie’s Bakery also helps in other ways. All the ingredients are fresh, and whenever possible are supplied by local businesses in order to support them and encourage their development. There is also an apprenticeship program which trains people to become master pastry chefs, in many cases giving employment to people who might not have had any other chance to work.

Connie Milstein often donates her baked goods to other organizations which are helping people, such as the brownies which were recently distributed at a family event to show love and support to military families sponsored by the Blue Star Families organization.

Connie’s Bakery is an innovative and tasty way to help. Go visit, you’ll be glad you did.