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‘Pie it Forward’ movement means free pie, Richmond

Posted at 2:55 PM, Aug 16, 2013
and last updated 2013-08-16 15:15:55-04

pielogoRICHMOND, Va. (WTVR)—Richmond is one stop among almost 50 for a groupwho are traveling the United States giving away pie.

Now this a movement that belongs in the South, wouldn’t you say? “OccuPie” Monroe Park will be held Saturday, August 17. 

“Pie it Forward” was baked from scratch by Sarah Fertig, who is on a mission to change the world through the power of pie. She told our affiliates that the idea first came to light after a political speech by former Senate candidate Elizabeth Warren.

The speech highlighted the need to pass along kindness through works.

“I decided to put some action behind my words and start giving away pie to spread kindness and generosity,” Fertig explained to CBS6 42.

She rolled out from Ann Arbor back in March with her baking assistant, err, boyfriend. They headed West first, and meandered back through the plains, Mid-West and South. Along the way they picked up another baking assistant. Their journey will last through almost November, and they plan to attempt two events per week.

Fertig does most of the blogging for the group (They are also on Twitter and Facebook). The most recent update tallied miles traveled at 11,492, pies baked at 207 and people served at 1,449.

pie

Here’s the whole team, ready to serve at Raleigh Rescue Mission. Photo via Pie it Forward Facebook page.

This trip is completely funded off of donations and human kindness.

“We’re totally living off donations, so there have been days where we didn’t know how we were going to get to our next stop,” Fertig told CBS 6 Birmingham affiliates.

“Ultimately, we always find the most generous loving kind people on the side of the road and we’ve gotten help every step of the way, she added.

And when you think about it, they’re a pretty benevolent group. In their words, they “come into your house, take over your kitchen, bake a half dozen or so pies, leave a couple pies for you, and disappear into the wild blue yonder.”

Anyone who would like to follow their journey can do so by visiting http://pieitforward.wordpress.com

Come out and meet the group at their 31st event, held Saturday at 7 p.m. in Monroe Park, on the northwest side near Franklin and Laurel Street.

The group said that “donations of brown sugar, oatmeal, cinnamon, and plain old cash are always appreciated.  Please bring a dish to share if you are able – ice cream goes great with pie!”