Wonder Bread A Massachusetts mom turns a hobby into a national charity that offers hope and support, one loaf at a time.

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Wonder Bread

Massachusetts mom Karen Kiefer started baking bread for those in need of cheer. Now, Spread the Bread is on the rise. BY JONATHAN VATNER // PHOTOGRAPH BY DAVID CICCONI NAME • KAREN KIEFER, 49 MISSION • Delivering happiness to strangers via homemade bread. When Karen Kiefer taught her mother’s Irish soda bread recipe to her daughters, they baked way more than they could eat, so they handed out the surplus loaves to neighbors. It was so much fun, they did it again this time packaging loaves with friendly messages and delivering them to homeless shelters and churches in their hometown of Wayland, Massachusetts. Soon, other families broke out their bread pans, and Spread the Bread was born. The Kiefers’ driveway now serves as a collection and distribution point for vast varieties of baked goods, and Kiefer coordinates efforts elsewhere in the world via email. Recipients include the homeless, fi rst responders, the elderly, soldiers abroad and anyone else in need of a little gratitude or hope. MOTIVATION • “Everybody is connected to bread somehow—through religion or a memory or a family tradition. I thought it would be cool if we could get people to start sharing that bread with others.” FAVORITE RECIPE • “One of my favorites is cantaloupe bread. It tastes just like a wildly delicious and moist carrot cake.” GET INVOLVED • The third annual Million Bread Bake, an effort to surpass one million loaves, started on September 11 and runs until New Year’s Day. Last year, the effort tallied a whopping 733,203 loaves. Kiefer’s driveway must be huge. Visit spreadthebread.org to download a starter kit.

FABULOUS BAKER GIRLS Kiefer with daughters, from left, Madison, 13; McKenna, 14; and Rose, 8. Emma, 11, was at camp.

“ Everybody is connected to bread somehow—through religion or a memory or a family tradition.”

EXPERIENCE THE ISLANDS OF GREECE

Everybody must explore the hundreds of beautiful Greek Islands at least once during their lifetime...

The extraordinary beauty of the Greek islands awaits. Sparkling seas, endless sunshine and vivid landscapes… Greece is the perfect destination to explore by sea.

IONIAN SEA

Our nautical journey begins in the Ionian Sea, and its famous islands lining the west coast of Greece. Discover the unspoilt bays of Kefalonia, or the secluded sea-caves of Paxos reachable only by boat. Off Zakynthos, keep an eye out for native sea turtles.

ARGOSARONIKOS SEA

The tiny, picture-perfect isles of Hytra, Aegina, Poros and Spetses are just a short boat ride from the Greek capital. With a sheltered position and

Discover the unspoilt bays of Kefalonia, or the secluded sea-caves of Paxos reachable only by boat

Paradise

Stunning cupolas with the Caldera (volcano) in the distance on the Greek island of Santorini – one of the 39 Cyclades Islands Venetian Harbour at night with restaurants, Rethymno, Crete Myrtos Beach in Kefalonia

mild climate, they’re the ideal weekend getaway for Athenians.

CRETE

Crete is the largest Greek island of all, with a varied coastline of secluded bays and steep, rocky cliffs, as well as cosmopolitan resorts. The marinas at Heraklion, Aghios Nikolaos and Rethymno make excellent bases. Keep binoculars ready to spot sperm whales, which inhabit the waters here year-round.

CYCLADES

A fusion of stone, sunlight and shining sea, the Cyclades lie to the east of the Peloponnese. They stretch as far as Samos and Ikaria to the east. The poet Odysseas Elytis described their peculiar volcanic formations as “stone horses with rampant manes”.

DODECANESE

These isles are a sun-drenched crossing point of seas and strong winds, off the southeastern tip of Greece. Visit Lipsi for white-sand beaches or Leros with its deep, natural harbours. Stop at Kos to go mountain trekking or Rhodes for nightlife.

ISLES OF THE NORTH AEGEAN

Lastly, sail north up the Aegean to explore the Sporades (including Skiathos, Skopelos and Skyros), and the northeast Aegean islands. Among these you’ll find Limnos, characterised by black rocks and steep mountains, and Lesvos, Greece’s third largest island famed for exquisite ouzo, oils and cheeses. But there’s still much more to discover…