On a chilly Friday evening at Saint Francis High School’s 11th annual Christmas At Our House event, word spread quickly across the quad about the trays of sugar cookies and lemon bars that were selling out. Families went from booth to booth, supporting local small businesses, but among nearly 30 vendors, one stood out—not for its size or spectacle, but for its story.
Sweet Sensations, a 501(c)3 nonprofit bakery licensed by the Santa Clara County Public Health Department, is founded and run by Los Gatos 16-year-old Avani Thakur. At Christmas with Saint Francis, they sold out before the night was even over, raising close to $500 in one single night, with every dollar donated to The Hunger Project: an international nonprofit working to end world hunger.
Founded one year ago in Los Gatos, Sweet Sensations donates 100% of its profits to The Hunger Project, turning home-baked goods into tangible impact. To date, this bakery has raised close to $1,000, an impressive accomplishment for a student-run nonprofit operated by an ambitious high school junior balancing academics and extracurriculars.
“I wanted to create something that combined two of my biggest passions: baking and service,” Thakur said. “I began baking during the COVID-19 pandemic, but food has always been central to my family. My great-grandmother in India cooked everything from scratch in her tiny, lively kitchen, and she was known across town for all her delicious creations. I carried that same spirit forward during the pandemic, sharing baked treats with neighbors and realizing how food could connect people.”
Unlike a traditional bakery, though, Sweet Sensations is more than just a fundraiser; it’s a community-building platform. In addition to selling a diverse variety of sweet treats, from traditional chocolate chip cookies to birthday cakes to cookie bars, this initiative also promotes green kitchen products through its Sustainably Sweet program. Thakur also publishes regular blog posts—including recipes, restaurant reviews, and reflections on food, culture and service, on their very own Sweet Chronicles. They have also gained traction on Instagram (with over 30,000 views) through behind-the-scenes updates, recipes and milestones, building a community of over 200 members.
Beyond this local market though, Sweet Sensations has recently also gained national attention. Thakur was named a Top 15 finalist in The Greatest Baker competition, an ongoing nationwide contest recognizing talented home and professional bakers, and she says she hopes to continue advancing through the rounds. In addition, she was also the only student (from a school body of over 1,600 students), to be nominated as a Carson Scholar, a prestigious recognition honoring academic excellence and community service. Together, these recognitions reflect both her ambition and her sustained commitment to serving others.
For Thakur, this journey has been a lot more than recognition, though. “A win for me is when someone learns about one of the biggest challenges humanity faces—global hunger—whether that’s through placing an order with Sweet Sensations, reading a blog post, or even choosing greener products,” she said. “The awards are an added bonus that I am incredibly grateful for.”
As the holiday season puts both generosity and community need into sharper focus, Sweet Sensations reflects a broader Los Gatos tradition: one where the young people step up with innovative responses to prevalent challenges. From school fundraisers to neighborhood drives, the town has always encouraged service rooted in local action, with global awareness in mind. Thakur agrees, saying, “In a world where it is easy to be overwhelmed by the size of problems, I have learned that small actions, done consistently, can add up to real impact. I have seen that firsthand with Sweet Sensations as we have raised nearly $1,000 over the past year.”
Looking ahead, Thakur plans to continue expanding Sweet Sensations through pop-up shops, local markets, and continuing online sales.
Community members interested in learning more or supporting this youth-led nonprofit can find additional information at thesweetsensationbakery.com, or by contacting sn********@***il.com or 415-624-9767.
