I’m met at the garden gate by the sweet fragrances of honeysuckle and jasmine. An exuberant beagle rushes across the lawn to meet me. “Have a seat,” Valerie Van Galder says, and as we sip coffee together in her outdoor oasis, you can almost hear her mind whirring. Her eyes twinkle, her voice is as bright as her kitchen is lively.
The conversation flows easily from one topic to another. I tell her a little bit about my memoir, CAN I GET A WITNESS? To our shared delight, I discover that her latest film project is based on our mutual friend Tonya Hurley’s hugely popular book, GHOST GIRL. We agree that it’s a good thing that YA projects are trending toward realistic plots with genuine, if sometimes troubled characters. As a matter of fact, I say, my friend Louise Gornall’s upcoming release, ROSE TAINTED SKIES, is about an agoraphobic who confronts her fears for the sake of a friendship. Val reaches for her phone, scrolls through her tweets. “ I think I just chatted with her this morning!” she says.
This is the way serendipity happens, time and time again. Our circumstances may be different, but good stories bring us together. And cake, we agree, because who doesn’t like cake?
Special thanks to Patricia Saxton/Saxton Studio, who created this artwork as a gift for Depressed Cake Shop.
It’s at this point that Val, a film producer who left a wildly successful career in Hollywood, reveals to me the backstory of her current involvement with Depressed Cake Shop. When her mother was first diagnosed with cancer, the news was devastating, as was the secret that eventually came to light. Turns out, her parents had shielded their children from the most troubling symptoms of an undisclosed bi-polar disorder. As Val’s mother got sicker, her father’s mental illness spiraled out of control. And when Val’s mother passed away, he went into a free-fall.
Frustrated by the gaping holes in America’s mental health care system, Val eventually left her job at Sony Pictures to attend her father’s needs. Out of that turmoil, there grew a deeper passion: to create a community of support for those who find themselves in similar situations.
A signpost on Val’s garden path
Chances are high that you, or someone you know, have also been affected by mental illness or depression. It’s a dark, lingering cloud that hangs heavy on the shoulders. People speak of it in hushed tones, and though the pain is oftentimes greater than any one person can handle alone, few are brave enough to go public with their experiences. Until, that is, Depressed Cake Shop first came into being. And when, soon after, Val’s circumstances led her to get involved.
The concept originated with Emma Thomas, whose London-based Cakehead Loves serves as beneficiary to many important causes. It quickly became a global enterprise, with community-based roots. Here in the United States, neighborhood bakers design ghoulishly gray goodies. Anxiety Oreos, Misfortune Cookies, Miserable Macarons…Look in the display case: see anything you’d like?
Given creative license, local artists oftentimes donate visual art pieces to the cause.
Designed and created by Rachel Skvaril of Fondant Flinger and Kara Andretta of Kara’s Couture Cakes for Depressed Cake Shop
Although the pop-ups are unique to the character of their communities, organizers must follow two basic rules: 1) Baked goods must be shrouded in grey frosting, a lighthearted way to represent the gloomy fog of depression. Hope is symbolized by bursts of flavor and pops of color, inside the sugary treats. 2) All proceeds must be donated to a mental health charity, such as National Alliance for Mental Illness (NAMI).
And as for the lucky customers, they get to have their cake and eat it, too. Here, an opportunity to share stories and offer encouragement. The sugar high is optional, but support is a constant, and there’s a place for everyone at the table.
It’s not a huge enterprise, but Depressed Cake Shop’s growth is happening in a healthy, organic way. That’s due, in no small part to the fact that Val’s optimism is contagious. She is the proverbial pastry box, chock-full of energy and goodness. When she posed by the product shelves in her cluttered office, I saw love, made visible. Hope, made manifest. “I want to keep it sweet,” Val tells me, and with a heart as big as hers, I can’t imagine it otherwise.
Interested in learning more about Depressed Cake Shop? Visit their website, join their Facebook Page, follow them on Twitter or send an email to: [email protected] with the subject line “Mailing list.” Include your full name and email address so they can inform you about all the fun things they’ve planned.
And now for the GIVEAWAY! The prizes include one Depressed Cake Shop T-shirt, men’s large, and a Depressed Cake Shop necklace. To enter, just leave a comment on this blog.* If you share the link on Twitter, come back to tell me for another chance to win. Follow @depressedcake and @melodyeshore, and we’ll enter you again. Rafflecopter will choose the winning entry on Tuesday, May 26th at 12:00 a.m. Pacific. (NOTE: I’m having trouble posting the Rafflecopter widget, so please follow the GIVEAWAY link, in order to report your contest entries. Brownie points for the extra effort!) *Sorry—this contest is open only to residents of the United States, due to postage costs and regulations. I do hope you’ll leave a comment, though, in support of Depressed Cake Shop!
UPDATE 5/26/15: Congratulations to the following prize giveaway winners, chosen this morning by Rafflecopter:
Tere Carnes — Depressed Cake Shop necklace
Lindsay Erickson — Depressed Cake Shop T-shirt
I hope you enjoy your winnings, and that you’ll find a way to get involved.
Melodye,
I cannot thank you enough. I was not expecting this (clearly I would have washed my hair), but I am delighted to have such a bright and loving light shined on our project.
We all thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
xxoo
Val
My pleasure! There’s magic in the ongoing story of Depressed Cake Shop, and no small measure of elbow grease. In bringing so many people together around this very important cause, you help make manifest that Mother Teresa quote, “Not of all us can do great things, but we can do small things with great love.”
Much love to you, Val. Wishing huge success for Depressed Cake Shop, its volunteer partnerships, and those to whom you provide yummy baked goods, support and awareness.
What a great article about a great cause.
Thanks for stopping by! Val & Depressed Cake Shop are doing amazing things, for the greater good. I’m glad the idea resonated with you, too.
P.S. Remember to click over to Rafflecopter (linked at the bottom of the blog), so you’ll have your entry registered in the prize giveaway!
Oh, I so love this concept! Misfortune cookies! And are those butterflies in the back? I’ll take two, please 🙂 What a loving and wonderful place.
Misfortune cookies and Miserable Macarons! I can’t even… 🙂
P.S. Thanks for stopping by and for leaving a comment. So good to see you here, Terri! Remember to click over to Rafflecopter (linked at the bottom of the blog), so you’ll have your entry registered in the prize giveaway!
I love, love, love this!!!
Meeeee, toooo!
Thanks for stopping by to read and comment! Please remember to click over to Rafflecopter (linked at the bottom of the blog), so you’ll have your entry registered in the prize giveaway!
Our community would so benefit from this! We are a small town with lots of moms and families and this would help!
You are not alone! I hope you’ll send them an email (the how-to’s at the bottom of this blog.) Tell Depressed Cake Shop about your community’s needs … maybe you could work together to bring a pop-up to your area!
P.S. Remember to click over to Rafflecopter (linked at the bottom of the blog), so you’ll have your entry registered in the prize giveaway!
This sounds like a wonderful way to help those suffering from depression or other issues. I wish to help out in any way I can!
You’d be SO GREAT at this, Debbie, what with your professional and personal experiences & expertise. Glad you connected with them by email–be sure to let them know your background & current interests.
P.S. Remember to click over to Rafflecopter (linked at the bottom of the blog), so you’ll have your entry registered in the prize giveaway!
Love this concept. I am a cookie baker and would love to contribute if they come to the dc area!
Wonderful!! I admire people who turn out beautiful baked goods (that taste good, lol). And to contribute them to such a great cause…well. That’s the hallmark of a truly wonderful person. I hope you’ll send them an email that expresses your interests in getting involved. I’ve included their contact information at the end of this blog… 🙂
P.S. Remember to click over to Rafflecopter (linked at the bottom of the blog), so you’ll have your entry registered in the prize giveaway!
this is wonderful. My heart project is helping people with depression know that they are not alone. Thank you.
Mine, too, Siren. None of us should ever feel that we are walking through life alone. I hope you’ll connect with them on social media and/or by email and that you’ll find that partnership rewarding.
P.S. Remember to click over to Rafflecopter (linked at the bottom of the blog), so you’ll have your entry registered in the prize giveaway!
Another great read – keep them coming.
Thanks, Esther! So good to see you again! Your cruise pictures…wow, what an amazing adventure!
P.S. Remember to click over to Rafflecopter (linked at the bottom of the blog), so you’ll have your entry registered in the prize giveaway!
Lovely! I’ll take one of each. And I’m happy to boost on twitter. I’ll do it later today, when traffic is heavier.
Thanks so much, Lisa. I thought of your books, RAINING CUPCAKES especially, when I first heard about this enterprise. Reading + Cake = Happiness.
Hey, that could be a great tagline for a Portland-area pop-up. 🙂
P.S. Remember to click over to Rafflecopter (linked at the bottom of the blog), so you’ll have your entry registered in the prize giveaway!
FUN! …
FUN! …
YES!!
What a gift of awareness, support. I followed you both on Twitter (@managingeditor) and cannot wait to do something in my community. My daughter lost her best friend to depression that led to suicide at age 40. You further open dialogue and that’s where understanding begins – on any scale.
Ohhhh, I’m so sorry about your daughter’s friend. It’s a lingering hurt for which projects like Depressed Cake Shop can be a healing balm. I truly believe that. How kind, how loving of you, to transform your pain into energy that serves the greater good. (You sent them an email, right? xo)
P.S. Remember to click over to Rafflecopter (linked at the bottom of the blog), so you’ll have your entry registered in the prize giveaway!
What a delicious way to raise awareness for a good cause — I totally agree that the stigma of mental illness must be eradicated. Having a surprise pop of color beneath the grey frosting is brilliant — there is always hope.
How wonderful that you got to meet and talk with Valerie. I’ll take one of everything in that display case. 🙂
I’d happily share everything in that display case with you, Jama. Wouldn’t that be the best kind of tea party…one where we indulge ourselves and support a great cause, all at the same time? I’ll bet you’d come up with some incredible edibles for the party!
P.S. Remember to click over to Rafflecopter (linked at the bottom of the blog), so you’ll have your entry registered in the prize giveaway!
Awareness, understanding and acceptance of mental health disorders is needed. Thank you for sharing Val’s story about her Dad and her amazing and her adventures with the Depressed Cake Shop.
I will tweet this story on Twitter and follow @depressedcake and @melodyeshore
Thank you.
Thanks so much, Suzy, for helping to spread the word about Depressed Cake Shop. I agree that awareness & acceptance are key, and that Val’s story is truly remarkable.
P.S. Remember to click over to Rafflecopter (linked at the bottom of the blog), so you’ll have your entry registered in the prize giveaway!
“Anxiety Oreos, Misfortune Cookies, Miserable Macarons…” That’s hilarious! What a brilliant – and delicious – way of working to end the stigma.
I know! So incredibly creative..I was giggling nonstop about those names. And isn’t that the point of Depressed Cake Shop, after all? 🙂
P.S. Remember to click over to Rafflecopter (linked at the bottom of the blog), so you’ll have your entry registered in the prize giveaway!
I’m all for spreading awareness and stopping stigma, but I can’t help but feel stigmatized by this and it seems backwards. I have major depressive disorder, general anxiety disorder, and have suffered a lot from other things. I don’t feel like a grey cupcake. I don’t have a cloud hanging over me. I have an integral part of me that makes things hard. While this seems is totally done with the best intentions and has probably done a lot of good, I feel this is making light of something that is actually very heavy. Why not cheerful colors? Why isn’t the hope on the outside? I feel that this is generalizing. Depression isn’t just grey. It’s technicolor, I am not defined by my disorder. I know people with depression who are purple and blue and green and every color in between. I’m glad for all the work being done but it still feels like it’s getting it wrong.
I want first of all to thank you for sharing your thoughts about Depressed Cake Shop, and more so, for being open about the mental health issues you face. As you well know, stigmas are a powerful, silencing force.
I get what you’re saying, I really do. And while I’d prefer a lengthy, in-person conversation to a brief reply in a text box, I hope to answer your question in a way that makes you feel heard.
In an ideal world, prescriptions are titrated to the specific needs of a given patient, and therapies are custom-designed for each client. That said, as unique as we all are, I think it’s unlikely that we could get everyone to agree on a single visual to help symbolize depression’s myriad causes and effects. What we CAN do, however, is to build a community of support for those whose lives are touched in any way by mental health issues. And if we can do it in a light-hearted way, all the better. My thoughts fall in line with those who think there’s humor in those grey-shrouded goodies, that there’s sunshine behind the original concept, and that its warmth is shared by participants and planners alike.
Even if the color grey doesn’t suit your sensibilities, it’s still cake, lovingly created and served. Love is the main ingredient, and that being a given, the rest is…well, the frosting on the cake. 🙂
Hi Clare,
I also wanted to thank you for your thoughtful response.
We totally agree that we are all multi-colored, all the shades of the rainbow.
The gray element is meant as a symbol and that sometimes depression can feel like a gray cloud over a beautiful world.
As we evolve our message and grow our community, we hope to embrace more kinds of art and all kinds of artists.
Our main goal is to remove the stigma that still exists around mental health issues and create a safe community where everyone feels welcome.
Thank you for sharing your story with us!!
xo
Val
DCS