Breaking news

Originally published April 24, 2008 at 10:42a.m., updated April 24, 2008 at 07:28p.m.

Pie supply high at Copper Oven; grab a slice for a good cause

49 News and Oprah's Big Give: Topeka raise money for five community members

VIDEO:

Raising funds for Oprah's Big Give: Topeka is no pie-in-the-sky endeavor.

Bakers at Copper Oven, 5421 SW 21st St., worked extra hard this morning in preparation of today's Oprah's Big Give pie fundraiser.

Holly, of the many helping with the fundraiser, recommends the silk pies.

"And then all our fruits, our fresh fruits, we bake them here, and they are all delicious," she said.

Lemon meringue and apple are also popular, Roger Mersmann, the business owner, said.

Past Event

Copper Oven fundraiser for Oprah's Big Give: Topeka

  • Thursday, April 24, 2008, 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.
  • Copper Oven, 5421 SW 21st St, Topeka
  • All ages / $3

More

photo

Holly, a baker at Copper Oven, tells us her favorites and explains what motivated Copper Oven to participate in the Oprah's Big Give challenge. Watch this <a href="http://www.ktka.com/videos/2008/apr/24/19305/">video report from Good Morning Kansas</a>.

The goal is to get so many people into the bakery that they run out of the 100 pies they baked. That's at least 20 more than they bake on any given day. Twenty-five different pies are available on any given day.

Half of the price of every slice ($3) will given to Doorstep Inc., which is working with Oprah's Big Give: Topeka and five area residents. The initiative began after a $10,000 donation from Oprah Winfrey. Since then 49 News KTKA and the community has more than doubled that.

Copper Oven's hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. The fundraiser will run all day today, and Copper Oven will present KTKA 49 News with a check to give to Doorstep Inc. at 7.

Mersmann was motivated to become involved with Oprah's Big Give after a request from KTKA's Rudy Guzman.

"When Rudy gives me a call, Rudy's always been about the community, and whenever he calls, I have to say yes," Mersmann said. "He works so hard to make Topeka a better place."

Mersmann and his Copper Oven staff are no strangers to making Topeka a better place. The small bakery and cafe is involved in as many fundraisers as possible, especially those that are applicable to the bakery business, Holly said.

Copper Oven is not the only business in the area that has helped with this cause. Read more about the volunteers and sponsors by digging into KTKA.com/oprah.

Comments

Use the comment form below to begin a discussion about this content.