• Cupcake lovers are combining their sweet tooth with a creative way of giving back in “Cupcake Camps.”
• The revival of this quintessential comfort food through the “Cupcake Camps” originated in San Francisco.
• Last month, a Montreal event sold more than 20,000 cupcakes, raising more than $34,000 for charities.
• Visit Cupcake Camp to learn about an upcoming cupcake camp near you or organizing your own.

Cupcake Camp Montreal 2010; Photo by clevercupcakes

A growing craze for comfort food and creative expression is giving cupcake-lovers an exciting way to give back to the charities they love. Organizers are calling it the “Cupcake Camp” phenomenon, where commercial and amateur bakers alike convene to debut unique cupcake creations and support local non-profits.

Sweet-toothed patrons in Los Angeles and Montreal were the latest to participate in this global trend, which has already swept through international cities such as London, Sydney, New York and Paris. Late last month, Montreal sold more than 20,000 cupcakes to 2,500 cupcake lovers, raising more than $34,000 for La Tablée des Chefs and Kids Help Phone. Cupcake Camp LA is still tallying its final count. Proceeds from the LA event are dedicated to InvisiblePeople.TV, Angel Acres Horse Haven Rescue and American Tortoise Rescue.

The revival of this quintessential comfort food through the “Cupcake Camps” originated in San Francisco. Visit cupcakecamp.org to find out about an upcoming cupcake camp near you. Visit the how-to section to learn about organizing your own.