Taunton Teen Bakes Sweets, Raises $1800 For Animal Shelter

Taunton teen Taylor Doherty leads a busy life as it is. Between balancing school, work and track, she keeps her schedule tight, but somehow still finds time to raise money for her furry friends at the Taunton Animal Shelter.

Doherty started volunteering with the shelter as a part of Taunton High School's DECA Community Giving Project. Soon after, COVID hit and she was forced to think of another way to help out. That's when the baking began.

Doherty took to her kitchen and started whipping up Buckeyes, the delicious peanut butter and chocolate balls, donating all profits to the shelter. She said that, for months, she just thought of it as a small project that was fun for her and helpful to animals in need. But after seeing how the community has come together to support her and the shelter over the last year, she now realizes the true impact her Buckeyes have made.

"The most rewarding part of what I'm doing is first, seeing the animals get healthier and being able to see them not only be up for adoption but [also] going to their forever homes," Doherty said. "It is so easy to fall in love with an animal, so watching them grow from first coming in and shaking to licking their owner and wagging their tails is the best feeling. Another rewarding part would be seeing everyone come together and creat[e] awareness for the shelter. You don't realize how much of an impact you make until you see the people that are supporting you."

Get our free mobile app

So far, this incredible teen has raised $1800 for the Taunton Animal Shelter and donated 200 pounds of cat food.

Here's how you can help: Doherty sells the Buckeyes through her mom's Facebook page, and when she has a new batch of treats to sell, there will be a post and they will sell them on a first-come-first serve basis. She hinted that the next set of orders will be available soon, so keep an eye out for these delectable, meaningful sweets.