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Cal Poly students and recent graduates have turned a simple hobby into a local relief effort, using bake sales across San Luis Obispo to raise money for undocumented immigrants. What began last summer as a one-off response to immigration enforcement has evolved into a recurring fundraiser that now donates proceeds to groups such as 805Undocufund and the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights.
The idea came from frustration with news of immigration raids and a desire to act in a concrete way. Environmental engineering senior Mytam Le says the group combined that impulse with a love of baking — and the result quickly gained momentum.
From kitchen experiments to community tables
Raising Together started small but has adjusted each time it appears in public spaces. Members experiment with locations and offerings to match foot traffic and local taste, learning which items sell out and which don’t. “We try not to overproduce,” Le said, explaining how the group refines plans after every sale.
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Timing matters: the team schedules events earlier in each academic quarter when volunteers have more availability, and they choose spots where they can reach more people on busy days.
Food, culture and connection
Many of the items on the table reflect the cultural backgrounds of volunteers, intentionally bringing different traditions together. That mix of flavors is meant to do more than raise money — it’s a small gesture of solidarity that sparks conversation between students, neighbors and visitors.
Cal Poly alumna Jenni Martinez handles the visual identity for the sales, designing posters, menus and merchandise. Martinez says her work draws on her experiences as a Mexican American and aims to communicate why the cause matters to the volunteers.
- Beneficiaries: 805Undocufund and the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights
- Organizers: Cal Poly students and alumni operating under the name Raising Together
- Approach: Recurring bake sales, adapting location and menu to demand
- Goals: Raise funds and build local support networks
- Updates: Event dates and locations are shared on the group’s social channels
Customers notice the difference. A local who stumbled upon a table while on a walk said the selection and atmosphere drew him in, and long-time attendees praise the group’s steady presence in the neighborhood. “These are people who live next to us and help keep our community running,” one regular volunteer observed, summing up why support feels essential.
Beyond dollars raised — often a few hundred per event — members say the sales provide emotional support. For volunteers juggling coursework and jobs, working together on a tangible project has offered a sense of purpose and companionship.
What’s next
The future of the project is uncertain as several core members approach graduation, but the organizers hope to maintain momentum and expand local backing. For now, the bake sales remain a small-scale but visible response to ongoing immigration issues in California — a reminder that neighborhood-level efforts can translate into immediate assistance and sustained community ties.
