East Bay siblings bake cookies, create nonprofit to help families in need

A pair of East Bay siblings are helping support families in need using a cookie recipe that has been in their family for generations.

Sara and Mateo Molina spend many weekends in their family kitchen baking.

It started out as a hobby for this brother and sister duo. But soon the graham cracker, chocolate chip and walnut treat turned into something even sweeter. It turned into a nonprofit business they named Humankind cookies.

"So many loyal customers and friends," said Mateo Molina.

"So many I couldn't even give an estimate," said Sara Molina.

Human Kind cookie proceeds to support families in need in Casa San Jose in Colombia where their mother and father are from.

"Our mom is close with the director, so it would ensure we knew where the money was going and what it would be spent on," said Mateo.

What started as a summer project during COVID-19 turned into quite the business. They carefully hand-pack boxes that are now sold at Gene's Fine Foods in Pleasanton.

"Genes are amazing," said Mateo. "They help us out and sell them at no profit."

"The outreach of support has been insane, and we have raised over $35,000 dollars in proceeds and all the proceeds goes to these kids.  It is super awesome," said Sara.

"Before they could only afford rice and beans, but because of this and special things like Genes which have made money flow more constant, now, they can afford eggs and cheese," said Mateo.

Mateo and his sister also enjoy seeing videos and photos of the kids they are helping.

Genes Manager Meghan Puckett hired Mateo to work at the grocery store, but when she learned about his cookie-making business, she knew the store needed to help out with the mission.

"Even my parents are hooked on them. They got four boxes today," said Puckett.

Mateo said he doesn't mind being nicknamed the cookie guy since he and his sister love what they are doing.