The Sweet Progression of Cake4Kids and Compass Family Services

Roberto turned 1 this August and was able to celebrate his birthday in his new home with his family. He received a cake from Cakes 4 Kids inspired by Roberto's love of carne asada.

Compass teams work hard every day to support families, but we also know we can’t do it alone. We partner with other organizations that share our commitment to uplifting the community as a whole. Together, we help ensure that families feel seen, valued, and like they truly belong.  

So what exactly does Cake4Kids do? The organization began when founder Libby Gruender watched a video about a young girl in foster care who received a chocolate birthday cake for the very first time. Overwhelmed with joy, the girl ran upstairs crying, simply because no one had ever celebrated her birthday with a cake before. That moment inspired Libby to start Cake4Kids in 2010 with only 13 volunteers. Today, the organization has thousands of volunteers nationwide. 

Our partnership began in late 2022, when a Compass case worker was supporting a family whose child’s birthday was approaching. The family couldn’t afford a cake, and the case worker wanted to help make the day special. She reached out to a former colleague, who connected her with Cake4Kids, and that’s when the magic began. 

Cake4Kids encouraged her to register Compass as a partner agency, and by December 2022, we were officially part of the Cake4Kids network. Since then, staff receive monthly reminders about this wonderful partnership and how it can brighten a child’s special day—and brighten days it has. 

Cake4Kids has collaborated with several Compass programs, and the impact is remarkable. At our Grove Street and Clara House locations alone, more than 350 families have received cakes. Across The Margot, Compass Children’s Center, and Compass Family Shelter, volunteers have delivered 328 cakes since our partnership began. 

Many families have benefited from Cake4Kids through Compass, and we are deeply grateful. Every child deserves to celebrate their birthday, and having a cake, something so simple yet so meaningful, helps make that possible. In a city as expensive as San Francisco, providing even basic necessities can be challenging. But thanks to generous partners like Cake4Kids, parents can worry a little less and enjoy the happiness on their child’s face when they see a cake made just for them.