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There is always home baking in the tins at Marion Bradbury’s Ōrewa home.
And her great joy in life is to fill everyone else’s tins as well – which is why she became a Good Bitches Baking (GBB) volunteer two years ago.
The 84-year-old’s baking is snapped up by her family, which includes grandchildren and great grandchildren.
“No one leaves here without boxes of baking,” Marion says. “It gives people a lift eating these treats – full of the naughty stuff.”
But, however delicious it is, don’t ask for the recipe – Marion learned to bake from her mother – “a fantastic baker” – and never measures or weighs ingredients.
She honed her skills baking for her parents and nine siblings when she was still at school.
Marion joined GBB because granddaughter Monique, already a member, suggested it.
Two friends started the organisation in Wellington, seven years ago. The idea was to let those going through a hard time know that people in their community cared by baking and delivering treats. It has grown to 28 Chapters across NZ with more than 3000 volunteers.
Currently the Hibiscus Coast, which is part of the North Auckland Chapter, has 28 volunteers and is looking for more.
Everyone chooses when they can bake and goes on a roster. There are also roles such as picking up and delivering the baking to charitable organisations.
Love Soup is currently the only Coast recipient but once the number of volunteers grows, they will look to include other local charities.
Generally, you can bake whatever you want – another Ōrewa member, Chloe Woollard, says it’s a great excuse to test new recipes. Her specialties are slices and brownies.
Chloe, aged 27, learned to bake from her mother and grandmother. She joined four years ago and says most local members of GBB are around her age.
“Many have young kids, so they can get them involved in the baking too,” she says. “You can commit as little or as much time as you can spare.”
“Baking is a way of showing love,” Marion says. “That’s why I will keep doing it as long as I can.”
What’s with that name?? The organisation has reclaimed the word ‘bitch’ and sees the term ‘good bitch’ as high praise, packing a lot more punch than saying ‘you’re a nice person’. On its website is an explanation: “A good bitch is someone who just goes about getting stuff done, no mucking around.” They say the term is also gender neutral – “you don’t have to be a woman to be a good bitch”!
The Hibiscus Coast is looking for more volunteers – and you don’t have to be a baker. Drivers to deliver the baking are also needed. Info: www.gbb.org.nz or email akl-north@gbb.org.nz
