Plant-Based Advocates of Los Gatos held its first fundraiser on June 26, exceeding expectations by raising more than $700 for the nonprofit’s programs. The bake sale was conceived of and organized by Jackie Parsons, a local student and member of the nonprofit.
Parsons was inspired to organize the bake sale so she could contribute to the work of Plant-Based Advocates in spreading awareness about the benefits of plant-based diets.
“I think the group is doing good work by trying to help animals and the environment,” she said. “I really enjoyed raising the money because I feel like I’m doing my part to make the world a better place.”
The bake sale, held at Parsons’ home in Los Gatos, saw a steady stream of customers excited to purchase a variety of vegan baked goods baked by nonprofit members. Offerings included brownies, cupcakes, cookies, banana bread, and even dog cookies made of oats, pumpkin and peanut butter.
One of the people stopping by was Los Gatos Town Councilmember Mary Badame.
“I enjoyed meeting our Plant-Based Advocates and admire their mission,” she said. “Savoring baked goods made with love and fresh ingredients made my Sunday extra sweet.”
Plant-Based Advocates formed in 2019 then officially became a nonprofit in August 2021 to better address the urgent threat of global warming and biodiversity loss caused by animal agriculture, according to a press release from the organization.
“Raising livestock generates more greenhouse gas emissions than the entire transportation sector, making it a huge factor in global warming,” said Lisa Wade, Plant-Based Advocates’ president. “Moving to a plant-based food system is one of the most important things we can do as a society to address climate change.”
The science is clear, adds Debbie Parsons, Jackie’s mother and group organizer.
“Eating plant-based is the single, most powerful way we can reduce our impact on the environment,” she said.
Plant-Based Advocates educates the public about the benefits of eating plant-based in various ways. The group has co-hosted cooking and sanctuary tour webinars with the Los Gatos Library; published articles in The Outlook and other media outlets such as Counterpunch, Sentient Media and India Currents; and provided bi-weekly plant-based meals to unhoused residents of Santa Clara County for a year during the height of the pandemic.
Organizer Kathleen Willey recently helped secure a grant from Friends of the Earth which will help the Los Gatos Union School District develop plant-based school menus and promote climate-friendly, plant-based meal options. More events, such as a film and speaker series, are in the works.
“It’s urgent that we shift our food system away from meat and dairy and toward plant-strong diets,” said Karen Rubio, organizer. “A recent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report confirms that climate change is widespread, rapid, and intensifying, with UN Secretary-General António Guterres calling the report nothing less than ‘a code red for humanity.’
“Our message is that we still have time to change course. Cutting meat and dairy products from our diets reduces our carbon footprint from food by up to 73 percent.”
Jackie Parsons agrees.
“If everyone does their part, even in small ways, it adds up to making a big difference in making our world a better place,” she said.For information, visit facebook.com/PlantBasedAdvocates and plantbasedadvocates.com. To be notified about events and information, send your name, city and email to ka****@ph*.net.
