Ferguson Woman Receives Over $200K In Donations To Rebuild Bakery

Natalie Dubose had her lifelong dream realized when she opened up Natalie's Cakes and More this past June in Ferguson, Missouri. Tragically, her bakery was ruined during the riots that engulfed Ferguson following the decision to not indict Officer Darren Wilson after the shooting of Michael Brown. Following the news of Dubose's tragedy when her bakery was vandalized beyond repair, people across the country sprang into action, setting up a GoFundMe account to rebuild Natalie's Cakes and More amid the continuing violent protests. In just one week, word has spread, and $266,000 has been raised, far surpassing the initial $20,000 goal.

"My main windows were smashed and bakery damaged. I'm beside myself, but with the holidays, can't stop working," Dubose said on her GoFundMe page. "The outpouring of support on Twitter, Facebook, and in the media has been amazing. I was in tears."

Her business and many others are still reeling after the shooting and the riots that rocked Ferguson.

"Ferguson will be able to get through this," she told Buzzfeed. "Everybody that's come through this store, the people of Ferguson, all the people not from Ferguson, everybody has Ferguson in their prayers, everybody has this country in their prayers." 

For the latest happenings in the food and drink world, visit our Food News page.

Joanna Fantozzi is an Associate Editor with The Daily Meal. Follow her on Twitter @JoannaFantozzi