Sweet Potato Pie Shows Up for Annunciation’s Trunk or Treat
Rose McGee checks the pies made at Breck High School. Photo Sarah Whiting
On October 25, Sweet Potato Comfort Pie partnered with DeLaSalle High School, Normandale Lutheran Church, Breck School, and Rush City Bakery to bake pies for the Annunciation School’s Trunk or Treat, as well as for others in our communities impacted by recent violence. Almost 300 pies were made and gifted to students, parents, and responders affected by the August 27 shooting. While the pies were baking and cooling, each location hosted conversation circles, giving volunteers an opportunity to reflect on the importance of healing and connection after gun violence.
DeLaSalle High School students listen carefully to instructions on how to make pies. Photo Sarah Whiting
A volunteer explains the steps to making sweet potato pie. Photo Sarah Whiting
Students cut out hearts to put on top of the pies. Photo Sarah Whiting
Students work on making sweet potato pies. Photo Sarah Whiting
Students listen to instruction for making sweet potato pie. Photo Sarah Whiting
The team at DeLaSalle High School get on a zoom call with teams at Breck and Normandale Lutheran Church, so they can feel connected to all the groups that are helping. Photo Sarah Whiting
Rose McGee hands out samples of sweet potato pie to students at DeLaSalle High School so they can taste what they are making. Photo Sarah Whiting
Students at DeLaSalle High School taste sweet potato pie during a conversation circle. Photo Sarah Whiting
Conversation circles happened between each group so students could talk about why making this pie is important. Photo Sarah Whiting
Rose McGee participates in a communication circle at Normandale Lutheran Church. Photo Sarah Whiting
A volunteer does an exercise at Normandale Lutheran Church as part of the communicatino circle. Photo Sarah Whiting
Pies cool at Normandale Lutheran Church. Photo Sarah Whiting
Rose McGee and DeLaSalle High School students show off the pies that they made. Photo Sarah Whiting
Students unload pies at Annunciation School. Photo Sarah Whiting
Rose McGee exclaims at all of the gorgeous pies during Trunk or Treat at Annunciation School. Photo Sarah Whiting
A volunteer shows off the free pies to students at Annunciation School’s Trunk or Treat event. Photo Sarah Whiting
A current Annunciation School parent connects with a former parent who is volunteering for Sweet Potato Comfort Pie. Photo Sarah Whiting
Rose McGee laughs with parents and students at Annunciation School’s Trunk or Treat event. Photo Sarah Whiting
Rose McGee gives a pie to Sophia Forchas and her parents. After almost two months of rehabilitation from the school shooting at Annunciation School, Sophia was discharged from Gillette Children’s Hospital on Thursday, October 23, 2025. Photo Sarah Whiting
Rose McGee gives a pie to Sophia Forchas and her parents. Sophia was the last of her classmates to leave the hospital after experiencing almost two months of rehabilitation from the shooting at Annunciation School. Photo Sarah Whiting
To support our unique attention to community:
For 2025 coverage, Minnesota Women’s Press earned a community leadership award, three photography awards, and four editorial awards, including for coverage of social issues and for our Spring 2025 “Know Your Rights” special section supported by Unidos MN. Our publisher was named Journalist of the Year by Violence Free Minnesota for gender-based violence coverage.
