For 26 years, Georgia Crump was the owner and baker at Nuts & Sweet Things located in the Market in downtown Roanoke. Opening her business in September of 1985, Crump was located downtown when the Market Building food court first opened until it closed for renovation in 2010. Originally planning on returning when it reopened, Crump changed her mind while waiting on the remodeling to finish. The following week after informing the City of her decision, she joined the staff at 2nd Helpings, an earned income department that rasies funds for the Roanoke Rescue Mission.
“Joy & John Sylvester-Johnson were regular customers of mine for many years,” said Crump. “When John passed away in May, I came by the mission to bring Joy’s family a tray of some of their favorite baked treats and we began to talk about my decision to not return to the Market Building. Out of the blue, Joy offered me the position as manager of the 2nd Helpings Café. Ironically, my family had been praying with me about my future plans. I felt like the offer to come to 2nd Helpings was an answer to our prayers.”
“I’ve always wanted to be involved in something special—something with meaning. Being here and working for the Rescue Mission is really a privilege,” said Crump.
“Getting someone like Georgia at 2nd Helpings makes a great café even better. Georgia specializes in customer service and she really does make wonderful desserts,” said the Mission’s CEO, Joy Sylvester-Johnson. “Georgia will take our catering menu to a new level,” said Kelli Brown, the general manager at 2nd Helpings.
Some of the things you’ll see when you visit 2nd Helpings are Crump’s famous desert bars, cupcakes and muffins. Her full cakes are also available and they can be personalized for special occasions. Cakes are $25.99 and flavors include red velvet, cream cheese, yellow, chocolate, chocolate chip, carrot and assorted pound cakes. Also available are pumpkin and lemon rolls at $15.99. Some cakes are ready to grab and go or customers may call and place an order for their favorites. Cakes are also sold by the slice.
Crump was quick to note this is by no means an exhaustive list of what she’ll be making.
“Everything you saw at Nuts & Sweet Things will be offered here at 2nd Helpings. If you have a favorite and request it, I’ll make it.” This week, Georgia made strawberry short cake and dipped berries in chocolate. “Each week new items will appear in the dessert case,” she said as she placed a pumpkin roll in the case.
Located at 1502 Williamson Road, 100% of the profit from 2nd Helpings goes to provide shelter, food, clothing, and medical care for the homeless. To learn more about how your patronage helps those in poverty or how to volunteer at 2nd Helpings Shop, Gallery, or Café, call 540.491.9405 or visit our website, www.2ndhelpings.org. For more information on the Rescue Mission, visit www.rescuemission.net or call 540.343.7227
