10-year-old Medicine Hat girl continues to raise money for local food bank with her baking

“The first year I did cookies and cupcakes and that was too much, so I just went to cookies.”

It started out as a seven year old girl wanting to give back to the food bank in Medicine Hat, and has grown to help raise $3,523 over the last four years for the Root Cellar.

A Halloween cake auction included in that total.

This year more than 500 cookies where baked in a single day in late February, with about seven hours spent in the kitchen and a number of hours outside of it.

Mila had originally baked at home year one and two, but is thankful for the use of the kitchen facilities at the Root Cellar over the past two years.

“It would probably take more than one day if we did it at our house because they have so many like ovens and bigger stuff to use,” Mila said.

Melissa Mullis, executive director at the Root Cellar is happy to supply the space.

“We’re just really grateful that she goes out of her way, her family does this every single year,” Mullis said.

“It’s really cool that they are here in our kitchens now doing it and they can do it a little bit faster. It’s pretty great,” she added.

“Mila really cares about her community and, really shines through this process.”

Mila’s bake shop offers three types of cookies, chocolate chip, double chocolate, and the popular mini egg, which Mullis tried for herself.

“I can tell why this is the best seller, mini egg,” Mullis said.

“It’s really good.”

Mila’s mom Danielle said she enjoys helping her daughter out and no longer takes the lead.

“She was much more independent with it and I was kind of her assistant baker this year,” Danielle said.

“She was telling me what to do and how to do things and she can use the giant mixer by herself now and all of those things,” she added.

“As she gets older she becomes more and more independent at it.”

Danielle had a feeling Mila would get into baking when she was only six months old sitting in a high chair, holding measuring cups and spoons.

“Right now, we are just doing it as a fundraiser,” Danielle said.

“This is something we want to keep as a fun hobby for now and not make it too much work. We’ll see where that leads her as she grows up,” she added.

“Her dad and I are so proud of Mila and her kind heart and her dedication and hard work to something like this and her commitment to keep it going.”

Mila donated $1,028 this year, which hit her goal of raising more annually, overtaking last years mark by $27.

“Thank you for all my friends and family that supported me for buying my cookies,” Mila said.

Those looking to purchase cookies from Mila’s Bake Shop will have to check her social media page and mark their calendars for next February, as she keeps it exclusive to her annual Root Cellar fundraiser.

by Jesse Gill

10-year-old Medicine Hat girl continues to raise money for local food bank with her baking

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