Rebuilding Joplin, One Cupcake At A Time

A bakery in Joplin is helping with the tornado relief effort, which is ongoing, even one year later.

Smallcakes, A Cupcakery has created a cupcake called the Rebuild Cupcake.

"I mean there's people that aren't back in their houses yet and they need to be, and so we need to get them back in their houses," said Deanna Johnson, Owner of Smallcakes Cupcakery. "So, that's what we thought we would work on."

The creation of these rebuild cupcakes is a limited edition, tornado anniversary treat. They sell for $3 each with 75 cents going to Rebuild Joplin.

Joplin Tornado Timeline

"Our mission in 2012 is to rebuild or repair a hundred homes for a hundred families," said Kate Massey with Rebuild Joplin. "We joke about it but we're rebuilding houses one cupcake at a time."

Since the cupcake's debut, it's been in high demand. In fact, the title alone, caught the attention of Renita Kitchingham, a Joplin resident.

"I think it's amazing," said Kitchingham. "I think any help that the city can get to rebuild is incredible."

A lot of thought also was put into the design of the cupcakes including the mix of chocolate and vanilla.

"We went with the marble," said Johnson. "Coming out of the darkness and into the light, the light tops it off."

But for Johnson, the chance to make a difference is the biggest payoff.

"This is my town," she said, crying. "And they've been through a lot."

5/21/2012 Related Story: Joplin Students Remember Deadly Tornado That Killed Classmates