Spreading kindness one bake at a time

If you’ve ever wondered how far a simple act of kindness can reach, look no further than Good Bitches Baking (GBB). Known for its cheeky name and its enormous heart, this charity was founded in 2014 to spread kindness through home baking throughout New Zealand via regional chapters. The concept is refreshingly simple: volunteers bake sweet and savoury treats and deliver them to local organisations that provide support for people going through tough times. Whether it's a family grieving the loss of a loved one, someone struggling with illness, or a support group meeting, the goal is not to fix the problem but to offer a warm, anonymous gesture of kindness.

Kevin Mintenko, “Head Bitch” of the Marlborough chapter of GBB, is a key figure leading this sweet revolution. Originally from Canada, Kevin and his partner moved to New Zealand in 2020. Despite his full-time role as an assistant vineyard manager, Kevin found himself drawn to GBB's mission.

“I heard about it from a friend of a friend,” Kevin recalls. “I thought, ‘That’s amazing!’ and I had to get involved. It was just so cool.” The opportunity to combine his love of baking with helping others led him to sign up as a volunteer in September 2022. By February 2023, he had become Head Bitch of the Marlborough chapter, a role that has allowed him to bring more people into the fold while ensuring that the spirit of kindness continues to thrive.

GBB isn't just about flour and sugar – it’s about community. Kevin’s role involves more than baking. It includes managing the growing list of volunteers, communicating with recipient organisations, and ensuring everything runs smoothly. Each week, he spends hours answering emails, coordinating bakers, and checking in with the organisations GBB delivers to, ensuring their baking needs are being met.

“When I first started, there were only seven recipient organisations,” he says. “Now, we have 20, and we’re still growing.” He credits the success of the programme to the incredible commitment of the local community. “Blenheim is a small town, and the sense of connection here is strong. It’s really about the bakers, who are the heart of it all.”

One such baker is Bianca Zucchetto, who has been involved with GBB Marlborough since its early days. She bakes at least once a month. “It’s so interesting to learn about the different organisations we help and the baking that best fits their needs,” she explains.

Bianca highlights the flexibility of the charity, noting that volunteers can bake as often as they like or as little as once a month. “You just fit it in around your schedule,” she says. “Most people bake and deliver it themselves.”

The heart of Good Bitches Baking lies in its anonymity. Unlike many charitable initiatives, there are no personal interactions with the recipients of their baking, just an understanding that someone, somewhere, is thinking of them. Kevin explains, “We’re just offering a small gesture to brighten someone’s day and let them know someone cares.”

Kate Birch is another willing baker for GBB, who started baking once or twice a month for the chapter when it was first established and is also the “Newsie Bitch”, which means she does the chapter’s newsletter. “Jess Newton set it up single-handedly and really got the chapter moving,” she says. “She was Head Bitch for the first four to five years. With two babies, I don’t know how she did it.”

“It's such a nice charity to be involved in as a volunteer,” she adds. “You can work it around the rest of your life and work. Once I know who I’m baking for, I make what I think will be most appropriate. For example, if it is going to the Alzheimers Society, I will make old-fashioned items like lamingtons and Louise Square. Some charities say they want pieces they can box up for families, so you think, ‘Oh, well, cookies or slices rather than a cake, whereas if I'm cooking for John's Kitchen, I usually do something like a great big chocolate cake.”

The Marlborough chapter of Good Bitches Baking has grown remarkably in the last year. Kevin has worked hard to connect with new organisations to ensure that no one goes without. “The number of recipient organisations has nearly tripled since I started,” Kevin says proudly. “We’ve added six new ones in the past year alone.”

At the heart of this growth is the volunteer baker community. “We’ve got 63 active volunteers, and they bake from once a month to up to six times a month,” Kevin says. “It’s a real testament to how committed people are to making a difference, even in small ways.”

The computerised national “Bitch Management System” (BMS) enables volunteers to easily manage their preferences and sign up for baking shifts.

What makes Good Bitches Baking so impactful is the community feel that comes with it. Whether it’s the sense of contribution the volunteers feel or the personal connection felt by the recipients, the charity fosters a sense of belonging and goodwill. As Kevin puts it, “It’s about making a difference without asking for anything in return.”

“You don’t have to be a brilliant cook to bake for GBB,” he adds. “Anyone can do it regardless of age, gender, or experience. They just need to enjoy baking.”

The charity is also open to public support, whether that means more bakers or donations. “We’re always happy to welcome new volunteers, and we also have a ‘Cup of Sugar’ fund for those who might need help with baking costs,” Kevin explains. “We’re supported by local and national grants, and if businesses are interested in partnering with us, we have a chapter partnership programme – they can sponsor our iconic white baking boxes locally.”

If you’re interested in joining the Good Bitches Baking community or supporting the cause in other ways, visit gbb.org.nz for more information, because sometimes, a little sweetness is all it takes to make the world a kinder place.

Words: Adrienne Matthews | Photos: Aimee Preston