Charlotte Bakery Donates 5,000+ Cakes to Celebrate Homeless Birthdays

Manolo's Bakery founder Manolo Betancur ensures everyone can celebrate with a sweet treat.

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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Manolo Betancur, the CEO and founder of Manolo's Bakery in Charlotte, North Carolina, has donated over 5,000 cakes to help homeless individuals celebrate their birthdays through his Cake Project. Betancur, an immigrant from Colombia, started the initiative in 2011 after learning that a local organization helping the homeless couldn't afford to provide birthday cakes. Betancur has since made it a mission to ensure no one goes without a cake on their special day, even during tough financial times for the bakery. The Cake Project has expanded to provide meals and support to the community, and Betancur has also opened a non-profit called By Immigrant Hands and a vegan gelato business to further his philanthropic efforts.

Why it matters

Betancur's Cake Project highlights the power of small acts of kindness to make a big difference in people's lives. By providing birthday cakes to the homeless, Betancur is helping restore dignity and celebrate the humanity in those who are often overlooked. His story also demonstrates how immigrant-owned businesses can become pillars of their local communities.

The details

Manolo's Bakery was founded in 1997 by Betancur's in-laws, Mexican immigrants who started by selling Mexican pastries. Betancur, who emigrated from Colombia in 2005, later bought the bakery and expanded the menu to include cakes, pies, and other baked goods. In 2011, Betancur learned about an organization called Raise You Up that helps celebrate homeless individuals' birthdays, but couldn't afford to provide cakes. Betancur immediately offered to donate full sheet cakes, eventually giving away over 5,000 cakes through the Cake Project. During tough financial times, Betancur refused to cut back on the Cake Project, even when his bookkeeper was unhappy. As word spread, donations started coming in, allowing Betancur to launch a non-profit called By Immigrant Hands in 2024 to formalize the initiative.

  • Manolo's Bakery was founded in 1997.
  • Betancur emigrated from Colombia to the U.S. in 2005.
  • Betancur bought 100% of the bakery in 2014 after a divorce.
  • Betancur started the Cake Project in 2011.
  • Betancur launched the non-profit By Immigrant Hands in June 2024.

The players

Manolo Betancur

The CEO and founder of Manolo's Bakery in Charlotte, North Carolina, who started the Cake Project to donate birthday cakes to the homeless.

Raise You Up

An organization that helps celebrate birthdays for individuals experiencing homelessness, which inspired Betancur to start the Cake Project.

By Immigrant Hands

A non-profit organization launched by Betancur in 2024 to formalize the Cake Project and expand Manolo's Bakery's community outreach efforts.

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What they’re saying

“If it's such a big deal, I'm just gonna learn how to bake.”

— Manolo Betancur, CEO and Founder, Manolo's Bakery (Manolo Betancur's account)

“Bread is life, bread is love, and bread is God in some religions and cultures.”

— Manolo Betancur, CEO and Founder, Manolo's Bakery (Manolo Betancur's account)

What’s next

Betancur plans to continue expanding Manolo's Bakery, including opening another location of the Higher Grounds coffee shop in partnership with a local church. He also aims to grow his vegan gelato business, Artisen Gelato, to help balance the bakery's seasonal sales.

The takeaway

Manolo Betancur's Cake Project demonstrates how a small act of kindness can have a profound impact on people's lives. By ensuring the homeless can celebrate their birthdays with a sweet treat, Betancur is restoring dignity and bringing joy to those who are often overlooked. His story is a testament to the power of immigrant-owned businesses to become pillars of their local communities.