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Cookies serve people in crises

A vanilla aroma tempts the sense of smell. Angel- and bell-shaped cookies delight the eyes. Holiday chatter fills the streets with a joyous sound. The plights of hungry families and desperate teenagers consumes the heart with a sense of caring.

After baking and packaging brédalas, Kiwanians sell the cookies in front of a shop on Colmar’s main street. Another popular location is in the area of Collégiale Saint-Martin, a 16th century cathedral.

During the Christmas season, brédalas are a traditional sweet treat in the Alsace region of France and a source of revenue that helps the Kiwanis Club of Colmar feed disadvantaged families and provide counseling for despondent youth.

“Our brédalas are baked in Kiwanians’ homes,” says past club president Pierre Gangloff. “It is a butter dough with a vanilla aroma, which is spread thinly and cut in various shapes—stars, angels, birds, little men and women, and hearts.”

During the four weeks of Advent, the club sets up stalls in front of members’ stores and sells the cookies to passersby. The shops prove convenient places for making change and taking coffee breaks away from chilly outdoor temperatures.

Such amenities are important, because the Kiwanians have competition.

“We are not the only ones selling brédalas,” Pierre says, “but people know Kiwanis and appreciate the work we do.”

The fundraiser’s proceeds support two groups. Restos du Cœur distributes meals and food packages to needy households or individuals who have young children. The club stipulates that its contributions be used to purchase milk, baby food, and other items for children. The second recipient, SEPIA, offers an emergency intervention call center for teens contemplating suicide.