Chuck the Baker has been with God’s Love We Deliver for nearly 30 years. He’s baked countless desserts — including more than 40,000 perrsonalized birthday cakes for our clients. He asked us to share this message with you:

My partner Alan and I met at a party and fell in love in 1984. Alan taught English and History to 5th and 6th graders while I worked at a bakery in Rhode Island. His students loved him so much and so did I.

In 1987, Alan got sick and was diagnosed with HIV. His illness moved so fast. I did everything I could to help him. I would make him milkshakes or fruit smoothies because that was all he could keep down.

From Alan’s diagnosis to his passing was only 3 months. On the day he died, the nurse told me that Alan had been her English teacher. She held his hand as he passed away. She said she had become a nurse because of Alan. He taught her to believe in herself. And she wasn’t the only one. Alan was so beloved by his students; his memorial service was filled with people whose lives he had touched.

After Alan died, I moved to New York City to make a career in acting, but the work was inconsistent. One day, I found an ad in the paper for God’s Love We Deliver. For my “audition,” I made three desserts, and I’ve been here ever since.

My baking has always been very personal, and there’s not a day that goes by when I don’t think of Alan. But I also think about the people we help every day with a meal, a kind word, or a birthday cake — thousands of individuals deserving hope, dignity, and love.

Every day, people call God’s Love looking for help. On Giving Tuesday, you can help. An anonymous donor will match all donations up to $25,000.

This holiday season, please help me provide meals, comfort, and hope to New Yorkers living with severe illness. I’ll be thinking of Alan, while I celebrate every plate that we deliver.

Thank you for helping God’s Love be a gift to thousands of New Yorkers each year.

With gratitude,

Chuck the Baker