what gives?

Small ways that you can make a big difference for nonprofits

Cupcake Wars for charity

Sprinkles Cupcakes hosts Dallas’ first “Big News” Cupcake Wars Jan. 21 at NorthPark Center, featuring local celebrities vying for a $5,000 prize for the charity of their choice. Contestants include Roni Proter of the CW33 for Hunger Busters, Clarice Tinsley of KDFW for Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas, Amy Vanderoef of WFAA for Hold the Door, Brittany Cobb of Daily Candy for Make-aWish Foundation, Maxine Trowbridge of PinkMemo for Fashion Industry Gallery and Meredith Land of KXAS for Livestrong. They each have 30 minutes to frost, decorate and creatively display cupcakes in the spirit of their nonprofit. Even the losers still win $1,000 each for their charities. Watch the action at 3 p.m. in Center Court at the mall, 8687 N. Central.

Souper Bowl of Caring

Help donate 1 million pounds of food for the North Texas Food Bank this year by participating in the Souper Bowl of Caring Jan. 15-Feb. 5. It’s one of the biggest food drives in the state. You can help by hosting a drive at your school or church, or just drop donations at participating supermarkets, which include Albertson’s, Tom Thumb and Kroger. For more information, visit ntfb.org or souperbowl.org.

Tacos for a cause

Blue Mesa Grill is donating 50 cents from every Street Tacos platter to a number of charities, including Baal Dan for needy children in India; Lena Pope Home rehab center; Operation Kindness; REAL School Gardens, which provides outdoor classrooms for highpoverty schools; and United Way of Tarrant County. The platter comes with three tacos that you can mix and match with chicken, steak, pork, shrimp, portabello mushrooms, barbecue pulled pork or salmon — plus two side dishes. Our neighborhood location is at 7700 W. Northwest Highway.

Know of ways

that neighbors can spend time, attend an event, or purchase or donate something to benefit a neighborhood nonprofit? Email your suggestion to launch@advocatemag.com.