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The Birthday in a Box is excellent for food pantries because it removes the barrier of perishable ingredients (eggs, butter, oil) that a recipient might not have. The carbonation in the soda acts as the leavening agent (replacing eggs), and the sugar/liquid replaces the oil and milk.

Note about the flavor: Lemon-lime soda (Sprite/7Up) is the universal mixer because it doesn’t alter the color or flavor of white/yellow cake much. However, other combos work (e.g., Cola + Chocolate cake mix, Orange soda + Vanilla mix).

The Kit Contents

• Everything should fit inside 1 deep aluminum foil roasting/cake pan (approx. 9×13):
  • 1 Box of Cake Mix (ensure expiration date is at least 6 months out).
  • 1 Can (12 oz) of lemon-lime soda.
  • 1 Tub of shelf-stable frosting.
  • Instruction Card (Optional: You can have your Scouts decorate these.)
• (Optional Add-Ons):
  • 1 Pack of Birthday Candles.
  • Disposable 9×13 cake board
  • Disposable cake knife (plastic).
  • A generic “Happy Birthday” card signed by the Scouts (first name only).

• Note: If the kit gets squeezed (like when stacked in a trunk), the lip of the frosting tub can wedge under the pull-tab of the soda can. If the kits are being handled gently and handed out quickly, you can skip it. Otherwise, it’s recommended to secure the soda using one of these two options:
  • Option 1: Tape the pull-tab down so it doesn’t accidentally pop open during transport.
  • Option 2: Put the soda can inside a quart-sized Ziploc bag. If the can does get punctured or pops open (or freezes and bursts in a pantry owner’s car), the sticky mess is contained in the bag.

Sample Instructions

Instructions to Create Your Birthday Cake!

Ingredients Included: 1 Box Cake Mix, 1 Can Soda.

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Grease this foil pan with a little oil or cooking spray if you have it.
3. Pour the dry cake mix into a bowl.
4. Add the can of soda.
5. Mix gently by hand until the lumps are gone. (Do not add water, eggs, or oil).
6. Pour the batter into the pan.
7. Bake for 30–35 minutes. Insert a toothpick in the center; if it comes out clean, it is done!
8. Let it cool completely before spreading the frosting.

Packaging for Transport

Food pantries often reject kits if they look messy, are hard to stack, or look “tampered with.” Here are three methods to prepare your kits for transport:

• “Shrink Wrap” Method: Buy a roll of clear cellophane wrapping or a “gift basket” shrink wrap bag. Place all items inside the pan. Slide the pan into the bag/wrap. Use a hair dryer to shrink it tight. This keeps items from rattling and looks hygienic.
• The 2-Gallon Zip-top Bag: If the pan is small enough, slide the whole kit into a jumbo 2-gallon zip-top or slider bag. This is waterproof and stackable.

Make sure you always label your kit. Place a large label on the outside that says something like: “BIRTHDAY KIT: Includes Cake Mix, Soda (replaces eggs/oil), Frosting, and Candles.”

Finding Recipients

Many standard food banks (like Feeding America affiliates) operate on an assembly line warehouse model and cannot handle “irregular” items like kits. You need to find “Client Choice” pantries or smaller community organizations.

Keywords to Search in Google Maps:

• “Client Choice Food Pantry [City Name]”
• “Community Action Agency [City Name]”
• “Family Resource Center [City Name]”
• “Domestic Violence Shelter [City Name]” (Call first; they often have strict donation rules).

Who Else to Call:

1. School District Social Workers (Title I Schools): Call the main office of a local elementary school and ask for the “Family Liaison” or “Social Worker.” They often have a closet for families in immediate crisis and love these kits because they can slip them into a backpack discreetly.
2. CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates): These volunteers work with foster youth. They often visit children on their birthdays and need portable gifts.
3. “Box of Balloons” or “Birthday Wishes”: Check if these specific non-profits have a chapter near you. They are dedicated entirely to this concept.
4. Ronald McDonald Houses: They support families with hospitalized children and often host birthday nights.

The Script for the New Leader:

“Hi, I’m a local Scout leader. We are assembling ‘Shelf-Stable Birthday Kits.’ These include a cake mix and a soda (so the recipient doesn’t need eggs or oil to bake it). Would your organization be able to accept 10 of these to give to families?”

Managing the Scout Activity

For 5th/6th graders (Juniors/Cadettes)

Prep:

• Ask parents to sign up for specific items (e.g., “Parent A brings 10 mixes,” “Parent B brings 10 sodas”) to ensure you have even numbers.
• Buy the pans and wrapping yourself to ensure they are the right size.

“Assembly Line” Meeting Flow:

• Station A: Quality Control (2 Scouts): Check every expiration date. Wipe down cans/tubs with a Clorox wipe.
• Station B: The Artists (4-6 Scouts): Create the “Instruction Cards” and “Happy Birthday” cards. Use markers and stickers.
• Station C: The Assemblers (4-6 Scouts): Arrange items in the pans so they look nice (frosting tub in the middle, soda on side).
• Station D: The Wrappers (Adults + 2 Scouts): Use the cellophane/shrink wrap and tie with curling ribbon.
• Station E: The QC Manager: One Scout checks the final box to make sure the Instruction Card is visible from the outside.

For Kindergarten through 3rd grade (Daisies and Brownies)

The “Assembly Line” approach usually fails because they get bored doing the same repetitive task, and their motor skills aren’t ready for shrink wrap or precise taping.

Do not use shrink wrap. It requires heat (hair dryers) and fine motor skills they don’t have. We recommend you use the 2.5-Gallon zip-top bags.

Prep:

• Instead of sitting at a table passing items along, set up the ingredients on a long table like a grocery store buffet.

“Shopping Trip” Meeting Flow:

1. Give each Scout a “shopping cart”: a foil pan.
2. Have them walk down the line and pick one of each item to put inside their pan:
   • One box of mix.
   • One can of soda.
   • One tub of frosting.
   • One pack of candles.
3. Scouts slide the full pan into a 2-gallon zip-top bag and seal it closed. Have one adult stationed to help scouts who may need it.
4. Do not make young scouts write the recipe. Print the recipe instructions on large 4×6 shipping labels (stickers) beforehand. Give them the printed sticker and have them stick it onto the gallon bag.
5. Give them the printed sticker and have them stick it onto the gallon bag (great fine motor practice).
6. Give them “Happy Birthday” stickers, cake stickers, or permanent markers to decorate the outside of the zip-top bag.
7. Have them draw a picture of a birthday cake on a card. Pre-print “Happy Birthday!” on the inside so they only have to sign their first name.
8. Once a kit is complete, scouts can return to the “Shopping Line” to do a second one if supplies and time allow.

Note: If you are using different flavors, use “Color Match” Game to ensure the flavors make sense without you having to check every kit. You color-code the choices on the table or give them simple rules: “If you pick a Brown Box (Chocolate), pick a Red Can (Cola).” “If you pick a Yellow Box (Vanilla), pick a Green Can (Lemon-Lime) or Orange Can.” Or pre-group the items: “Pick one item from the Blue Bin, one from the Red Bin…”

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For More Fun Ideas and Plans

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Click Here -> To see information References:

Disclaimer: The information published on The Badge Archive is built from the references listed below. These sources demonstrate that our content is grounded in facts and research, not opinion or speculation. Readers may consult them directly when looking for additional material.

• Bronson, Susan. “This 2-Ingredient Soda Cake Only Calls for Soda and Cake Mix.” Taste of Home, 26 June 2020, http://www.tasteofhome.com/article/2-ingredient-soda-cake/. Accessed 25 Jan. 2026.
• “Zero Sugar Diet Coke Cake Recipe.” Pillsbury Baking, 26 Aug. 2024, http://www.pillsburybaking.com/recipes/sugar-free-diet-coke-cake. Accessed 25 Jan. 2026.

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