Making a Gingerbread House for Homeless | How To Cook That Ann Reardon

Making & decorating a large gingerbread house and gifting it to homeless.
Hi I am Ann Reardon, How to Cook That is my youtube channel it is filled with crazy sweet creations made just for you. Join me for creative cakes, chocolate & desserts, new video every Friday.

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PO Box 202
Chirnside Park 3116
Australia

[sasentaiko]

I think the fact that you're helping people learn that domestic violence and the unaffordability of housing are what's causing homelessness is a Christmas miracle in itself. I'm from LA, which this week declared a state of emergency on homelessness, even with our brand new progressive mayor. It's so dehumanizing and untrue, the things that people say here about how folks end up unhoused. I always appreciate your food science debunking videos, and I didn't expect a moment of debunking in this episode. Thank you, for caring about the dignity and value of your fellow human beings. Hopefully by enjoying your gorgeous gingerbread house, the guests will experience your best wishes toward securing housing of the inedible variety for themselves and their families. (Cool ribbon trick btw!)

[leeriches]

This is me and my partners first christmas in our new home after a couple years of homelessness! Admittedly we aren't doing anything because we have no money to but it's still amazing to have a safe roof over our heads. Maybe next year we'll be in the position to do something fun and festive. Thanks for working with that charity!

[ClockworkBlade]

Ann, just seeing what you do for others…. This ginger bread house for the homeless, your debunking of dangerous myths, heck the entire channel… you’re making a difference, and you have no clue how important that is… heck you inspire me to keep pushing to be my best, because I see I’m not the only one out there trying to make a change. So for all the people you’ve helped, for all the people you will help, for everyone you inspire, and for all the days you make better, thank you and you deserve the best.

[amberrodriguez]

I’m so glad that services like that are available in other parts of the world because where I’m from, when I was homeless a few years ago during the winter, I tried to reach out to get help to my local places like churches or social services organizations and all I was offered was some hats and some gloves. No food, no shelter. So Thank you to people like you who do what you do.

[bitsy]

I really appreciate when people donate high quality goods or skills for the benefit of people dealing with difficult circumstances. It makes me really happy to think of people having a good meal, a moment to relax, and that gorgeous gingerbread house for Christmas. Everyone deserves to have a little beauty in their life.

[TrashwareArt]

I have been facing homelessness perpetually for months ever since my sons mother abandoned the home. I was thankfully able to find a job online, but things are tight. The bit at the end where we were reminded if we need help to reach out touched me. Admitting I have a problem is really hard, it can be embarrassing. Especially when you are supposed to be the caretaker for someone.

[MsLemon]

I always love your channel and this touched my heart as I was one of the “homeless disabled veterans” stereotypes after I was medically discharged from the US Marine Corps. People simply don’t care, and they think you did this to yourself somehow. I was college-educated and was working two jobs; I had just lost Job 3 because they said my cane made me “too slow” for restocking.

I got on my feet thanks to a friend, and also thanks to the then-new GI Bill that helped pay for housing. Without that? I don’t know where I’d be. Now I’m a teacher, been teaching since 2011, and of course we talk about these types of social issues since I teach social studies. They’re amazed to find that I used to be unhoused, because there’s such a strongly negative stereotype about unhoused persons. I tell them, “Even IF that person is drug-addicted, does that mean they deserve to freeze to death?” Phrasing it that way really helps put it into perspective for them.

[cloverhighfive]

Your charity videos have always been done right. They are an opportnity to talk about an issue and to inspire people to help however they can, for the cause you presented or their local causes. It never feels done for clout or gloating. It never puts the helped ones in a position where they feel exploited. It's always cheerful. That man talking about why he loves WinterShelter was very nice to do so. And Mr. Hawkins was very interesting and inspiring as well :) Great work, as always!

[SuperNinjaAlchemist]

Didnt expect this video to make me so emotional. My family became homeless over a year ago and we cant move to a cheaper area yet due to car troubles. We've been living in the cheapest hotel we could find and we're barely scraping by, but nearby churches have been helping us with clothing and food and it really means the world to me. Tomorrow we get to pick up a special Christmas box so I can make a nice Christmas meal. Fortunately the hotel has two functioning burners and a fridge, so I dont have to microwave everything or worry about spoilage lol

[jeffbrascher]

Ms Reardon - I’ve never written to or commented on any YouTube creators in my life, but you’ve been an inspiration to me for a couple of years now. I felt compelled to thank you. You are absolutely lovely. Your family are delightful. You’re bigger and better than Martha Stewart (I’m American obviously. Sorry for that whole Trump thing, by the way!) Love what you do. Please don’t ever stop! You’re informed and informative and fun!
Lots of love and gratitude! - Jeff B. (Sacramento, California 2023)

[taram]

I work for a CALD DV service... thank you for acknowledging the homelessness crisis for DV victim-survivors, both women and children. Its a growing need, and its amazing you've used your platform to maker people aware of it.

[resourcedragon]

Your gingerbread houses are truly astonishing. My jaw drops watching the amount of work involved.

[Stonesand_bones]

The man who spoke about the charity, you could hear his gratitude and see the tears welling in his eyes. That is some genuine stuff. Makes this grown adult cry. 💗 Keep up the good work, Winter Shelter!
*Edit for grammar*

[winterdragon]

I love that you donated your masterpiece to charity❤ And I totally agree with your guest that there are people who care and want to help. I am from Finland and the Free Church here helps homeless, addicts and asylum seekers. If you need shelter, food, clothes, furniture, the Viadia organization of Finland's Free Church is there for you❤ Also local congregations are here to help. You don't need to be Christian or belong to any church to receive help. I hope everyone has a merry Christmas❤

[B.H.]

As someone who volunteers at a food shelf in the US, this makes me so happy. The stories I hear sometimes break my heart. I try to do what I can.

[Alianne]

That was the most comprehensive guide to all Gingerhouse tips and tricks that I've ever seen. Thank you!

[smileygirl]

I cannot tell you how excited I get when Ann posts a new video.🥳😊 house looks amazing.

[Vickie-Bligh]

Ann, you are the best people. I love all your content, but this is tremendous. The values & ethics that you & Dave are teaching your boys are wonderful, helping them become good men. Have a wonderful Christmas and thanks for this beautiful video.

[mrinalkiran]

This is beautiful. I got teary-eyed listening to the man at 18:13... It makes me feel heartbroken seeing people not treat others with respect or atleast basic human dignity. No matter someone has a house or not, lives on the street or not, everyone of us deserves human dignity. At the core of all of us is the same life force... How can we not feel someone else's pain knowing that! Maybe we individually cannot do anything about the pain we see in this world, but acknowledging and opening our hearts to it already opens many doors. Treating everyone with respect doesn't cost money.. A smile can give someone enough encouragement to continue living! All I ask for this Christmas is that all of us can become more empathetic, compassionate and understanding, may we open our hearts to each other and become more loving. ❤️

Ann, you are doing such a beautiful thing and people from Winter Shelter too, you all are super amazing! Much love to all of you! ❤️

[judevicious]

"It's demonstrating value to people when they come along on Christmas"

How beautifully put! 🥰