Spectrum Super Star May 2017

Special Kneads and Treats, Inc. co-founders Michael and Tempa Kohler established the 501c3 nonprofit with a vision that every child deserved to receive a birthday cake. They work with many community support groups such as DFCS, foster care, homeless shelters, food ministries, PADV, human trafficking support and several others to try and ensure that the children and special needs individuals that have birthdays get a FREE birthday cake from them. This vision stemmed from the fact that they are the proud parents of a special needs son who needed a place to feel a sense of pride and accomplishment. They chose a business model focused on employing special needs adults that have aged out of county supported programs in order to allow this special group of individuals an opportunity to provide for those less fortunate than them. Currently the Special Kneads bakery employs 14 individuals and has 6 volunteers with some type of disability, several of which are on the Autism spectrum. Additionally there are over 145 on a waiting list with the hopes and dreams of joining the team.

Michael says, “We try to focus on everyone’s abilities rather than their disabilities, which has been an amazing opportunity that has allowed for many of our special needs to grow in their sense of pride and accomplishment. Throw in the fact that they are helping us to give back to so many in our community and we have a major win/win situation. The impact this is having on not only their lives but the lives of others is truly priceless and I feel tremendously blessed to be able to a part of that.”

Tempa says, “We started this to have a place for our son to work and to get children whose families could not afford a birthday cake a free one. We love to partner up with groups like Spectrum so that we can help bring awareness to the special needs community and we love the fact that Spectrum helps so many.”

Spectrum says, we really appreciate Special Kneads and Treats and their donation of gluten-free cupcakes for our events. Please stop by and try them yourself! They are in downtown Lawrenceville at 138 East Crogan Street, Lawrenceville, GA 30046.