Sweet Idea: Bake Sale Aims to Help the Hungry in Lemon Grove

An 8-year-old with a passion for volunteerism has come up with a sweet way to help the Lemon Grove Food Bank. She's organized a bake sale and food drive.

Valentina Imes, a third grader at St. John of the Cross Catholic School, saw the need to aid local families after helping her grandmother distribute toys and food collected during the Soroptimist's annual holiday drive. The experience showed her that help was needed throughout the year, not just at Christmas.

Proud grandma Jennifer Mendoza, a member of the local Soroptimist chapter, says she hopes Valentina's first foray into fundraising will be a success, and that she'll be encouraged to continue with service in the community. 

The bake sale and food drive will start at 12:30 p.m. Saturday at 7066 San Miguel Ave. Cookies, cupcakes, coffee, espresso and lemonade will be available. Satisfy your sweet tooth for just $1 per item, except for cookies which are two for $1.

Bring nonperishable food items to donate. All proceeds will benefit the Lemon Grove Food Bank, which is managed by Bill Jones at the