Baker Keeps the Sweet Stuff Coming, and that's More than Just Cakes
Teya-Michelle Covin is a prolific baker. Sometimes it's easy to confuse her company name, "Sugar Baker," with her real name. Often, I think of her as "Sugar." But that's because it's not only her baked goods that are sweet.
During the last few extraordinary weeks as we all huddle separately to protect ourselves and our loved ones from Covid-19, Teya has continued to bake and deliver her decadent and delicious goods curbside to her list of devoted regular customers who follow her on Facebook and place orders there and by phone and email.
But she's also started a ministry, Kingdom Women on the Rise, which she says, aims to "support, inspire, serve, and encourage."
Her plan was to start this ministry in June, but because of Covid-19 and the needs she sees among Evanston's seniors, she launched earlier than expected, and has taken it upon herself (with the help of her mom Carole Lynne Clifton) to collect and distribute laundry baskets full of essential necessities--toilet paper, tissues, paper towels, dish detergent, laundry soap, bar soap, cough drops, cleaning supplies, and more--to Evanston's seniors.
So far she's delivered 20 of these baskets, having received monetary donations from small businesses, organizations, and current and former Evanston community members. She and her mom shop for the products. Teya says she'll continue to collect and distribute these baskets for as long as donations continue to come in. And she'd love to reach more people.
The next delivery of essential-care packages will happen on Saturday, and she's asking for monetary and in-kind donations to help her reach as many seniors as possible.
To donate financially: cash app $TeyaMichelleCovin
To donate items: purchase the items and then let Teya know at 224-290-2721 or Sugarbaker10@yahoo.com. She will pick them up.
To get a senior onto the distribution list, or for questions: call 224-290-2721
Teya was born and raised in Evanston. Her grandmother Ellen McKinley and grandfather Lincoln Clifton came here from Mississippi in 1950. Her dad's parents, Joan Holliman and Wilbert Covin, Sr., were both born in Evanston.
Teya says she started baking in 2009 "for therapy," and began donating her baked goods to church events.
An ordained deacon, Teya says she's inspired in her daily life by the word of God and being a servant of God. She's also grateful to Evanston resident, activist, and chef Bruce Allen King for his support. "He's a wonderful culinary mentor and life coach," she says.
If you'd like to see photos of Sugar Baker's baked goods, friend her here. You can order via Facebook, email at Sugarbaker10@yahoo.com, or phone: 224-290-2721.
"I'm committed to serving all God's people," says Teya.
LIST OF ESSENTIAL CARE ITEMS TO PURCHASE
Kleenex Toilet paper Paper towels Dish detergent Laundry detergent Deodorant Garbage bags Toothpaste Alcohol Peroxide
Cleaning products
