Good Bitches Baking adding sweetness to the Whanganui community

Whanganui People's Centre manager Sharon Semple (left) with GBB bakers Gaby Mckenzie, Steph Brunt and Sandra Wilson with their sweet treats. Photo / Bevan Conley

In urban slang, a "good bitch" is someone who displays a lot of class and loyalty.

When such a person is added to a group and blended with kindness and culinary skills you get Good Bitches Baking (GBB) - a charity dedicated to making sweet treats to comfort people facing tough times.

The charity was founded by Wellington friends Nicole Murray and Marie Fitzpatrick seven years ago, and there are now 44 bakers in the Whanganui GBB chapter.

Steph Brunt founded the local chapter after baking for GBB in Wellington and wanted to continue the good work when she returned to live in her home town in 2019.

"People are facing tough times everywhere," she said.

"It is not just about financial hardship, people are facing all kinds of challenges in their lives."

Brunt and two of her fellow bakers, Sandra Wilson and Gaby McKenzie, delivered their first boxes of home-baked treats to The Whanganui People's Centre this week.

"We regularly deliver to Birthright, the City Mission, Women's Refuge, Hospice and Age Concern," said Brunt.

"We want to add more recipients and as long as they meet the criteria we're happy to help," she said.

All GBB's volunteer bakers work at home in their own kitchens and Brunt said it is something she has always enjoyed.

"My children know all about GBB and why I'm baking - they are very supportive of what I'm doing and why."

Sandra Wilson said she has also been a keen baker and her work for GBB provides the opportunity for her to bake for herself while supporting others.

"It's good for me too because it means that I can keep a small amount for myself from each batch while most of it goes to others who will appreciate it," she said.

"If it's for Birthright, I make sure to include something fun for the children, and if it's going to Refuge I usually make sure there's chocolate."

McKenzie said she moved home to Whanganui from Auckland last year and was really happy to lend a hand to GBB.

"I was really glad to see that there is a chapter here," she said.

"I love baking and I can make pretty much whatever I want within the guidelines."

The frequency and times of the GBB deliveries are worked out with the clients and Brunt said the baking can be stored in a freezer if that works best.

People's Centre staff Sharon Semple and Nicola Howe said they were certain the baking would be well received by their clients.

"Giving someone food is always a good way to start a conversation," said Semple.

"A number of our clients don't have secure housing and they are not able to cook for themselves so home-made food will be greatly appreciated."

Brunt said anyone who would like to receive baking from GBB can contact her via email.

"We also welcome new volunteers and they don't necessarily have to be bakers. We also need committee members and delivery drivers."

The term Good Bitch is not gender specific and anyone who embraces the concept can become one, she said.

To join up or find out more, send an email to whanganui@gbb.org.nz