Grandma’s Candy Kitchen, a New Port Richey staple since 1978, launched a Fundraising with Fudge program in August in an effort to support both the community and the business, and the store's owner is hoping it will grow.

Kathy Koskos – the shop's third owner – says Grandma’s is Pasco County’s oldest candy store.  Once located on U.S. 19, she prefers the now two-year-old location at 5417 Grand Blvd.

“We had considered incorporating this fundraiser years ago, but I knew it would be a lot of work and couldn’t take another task on at the time," Koskos said.  "Once we got settled at this location, I knew I had to make the program a top priority.”

Grandma's Candy Kitchen is truly a family affair. Koskos’ family – including mom, Jackie (the “grandma” in ‘Grandma Candy’s Kitchen’); husband, Alex; 16-year-old daughter, Alison; and 12-year-old son Matt – can be seen at on the corner store making sweet treats, taking orders or working the register. Fundraising opportunities are open to any organization or business – nonprofit or for-profit.  Past and current partners include local schools and sporting teams, day care centers, Salvation Army Youth Centers and the Gulf Harbor Yacht Club,

Koskos, a Kalamazoo, Michigan, native says one of the most popular aspects of the fundraiser program – besides the sweet treats themselves – is the ease of it.  In exchange for $11.00 (or $11.77 for for-profit organizations), a nonprofit or for-profit organization conducting a fundraiser buys vouchers from Koskos.  Each voucher can be redeemed at GCK for one pound of fudge.  (Either $11 for nonprofits or $11.77 {with tax} for for-profit corporations.)
 
The organization goes out and sells the vouchers to the community.  Those who buy the vouchers can then take them to Grandma's Candy Kitchen and pick out their fudge.  Flavors can be mixed and matched, and they are not only supporting the organization they purchased the voucher from but a local business.

With each coupon sold, the seller – or organization – generates 40 percent ($4.40/pound.)  The Candy Kitchen makes an average of $3 per pound sold. Customers can choose from 10 flavors, including the bestselling chocolate peanut butter swirl and chocolate walnut (Kathy’s personal favorite).

“This was our first fundraiser with Kathy.  We knew about GCK because she had made delicious cakes and baskets for our annual holiday parties in the past," said Kerry Rondeau, assistant executive director for Red Apple Adult Training Center. "It was so easy… all we had to do was sell fudge coupons, and they did the rest!  The fudge sold itself and we ended up generating about a thousand dollars, which will assist us with upcoming parties and events for our special students,” said

Judi Pobst, Gulf Harbors Yacht Club Board Member and ‘Anchorette’ (the yacht club’s women’s auxiliary) was brainstorming for creative fundraising ideas for the Yacht Club’s Annual Scholarship Fund, which awards one scholarship to a deserving high school senior from one of the West Pasco high schools each year. 

While driving past 5417 Grand Blvd., she decided to stop in on a whim. 

“We had such a positive experience, beginning with the attractive full-color custom-printed coupons which bore the Gulf Harbor Anchorettes logo," Pobst said.  "We purchased 100 tickets from Kathy and sold every single one of them.  As a Realtor (for Realty by Design LLC), I even purchase several as gifts for clients so they could enjoy some delicious fudge as well.”

For organizations located outside New Port Richey, orders can be taken a la Girl Scout cookies, where they are delivered to the seller in bulk, approximately four weeks after the order is placed.  With this format, flavors are limited to vanilla, chocolate and peanut butter.
 
“We have tried all forms of promotional advertising, including billboards, commercials and radio ads, and this fundraiser has surpassed all of those methods in terms of branding and awareness,” said Koskos, who plans on connecting with community churches, Knights of Columbus, veterans and Rotary Clubs.  “Times are tough and in this economy, it’s do or die for a lot of small businesses, including us.  We needed something to keep us going and can only hope that this might be the answer.

If you are interested in Grandma’s Candy Kitchen’s fudge fundraiser, contact Kathy at (727) 845-0944.  GCK also sells chocolates, special occasion cakes, wedding cakes, chocolate fountains, gift baskets, and supplies to create your own confections including molds and sticks.