ROCKFORD, Mich. — A West Michigan cookie company that raises money for adoptions is closing in on making 100,000th cookie. So far, they have raised nearly $300,000 dollars.
Clara's Cookies was founded by Rebecca Cruttenden more than four years. About 200 volunteers sacrifice their time to bake in the commercial kitchen at Camp Roger in Rockford to help with the effort.
Due to COVID, the group had to stop baking and using the commercial kitchen. They now bake every other week at the facility in Rockford.
Some of the volunteers have been baking since the non-profit's inception more than four years ago.
"When [Rebecca] was ready to start this business, I was ready to start volunteering. It’s just been a blessing for me all of the time. It’s been perfect. It's been a good fit for both of us," said Mary Steketee.
Currently, there are 7 different flavors.
"Protein with a purpose is our tagline, and we love that," said Cruttenden.
Currently, peanut butter is their most popular flavor. The newly-launched mint chocolate chip flavor is also popular.
Cruttenden first came up with the idea after competing in ironman triathlons to raise money for adoptions. With training so much, she came up with her own high-protein recipe that wasn't a bar already on the market.
"That’s just my heart and my passion. I wouldn’t do this if it was just a business for money," said Cruttenden.
Clara's Cookies works with seven different agencies to provide grants and funds to families throughout Michigan and the world who are planning to adopt.
"I know what it is like because I had kids that were in an orphanage and were in a family. I just want to help millions and millions of kids get a mom and a dad, someone to tuck them in at night," said Cruttenden.
You can order Clara's Cookies online or find them in stores throughout West Michigan. A full list of retailers is available here.
