Special Kneads and Treats, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization serving specialty goods in Lawrenceville, GA, and focused on providing special needs adults within the surrounding community with a rewarding profession. We provide valuable work experience and training to special needs adults to encourage self-confidence and to provide an opportunity to enjoy success and socialization. This program allows for this special group of people to provide for those in need with specialty baked goods and services, while gaining job skill training in a safe and caring environment.
Our core mission is the Cakes for Kiddos program. We believe EVERY child deserves a birthday cake on their special day, and we work with local food cooperative ministries and foster care to provide a free birthday cake for families who cannot afford one. We also support and collaborate with local food ministry cooperatives, elderly care facilities, small locally owned businesses, and community outreach programs.
Special Kneads and Treats, Inc. operates based on Christian family oriented ideals and strives to share the love of Jesus Christ through caring, serving, equipping, and educating.
Employing Special Needs
Our most well-known mission, Special Kneads and Treats employs special needs adults. Our special needs employees help with everything we do here, from stickering packages to baking our products. You can meet our special staff here!
Cakes for Kiddos
Our other core mission is providing birthday cakes for kids in the community who can’t afford them. We collaborate with local food co-ops to provide for not only children, but also special needs and the elderly. Find out more on our Cakes for Kiddos page!
Our Sweet Treats
Of course, we are a bakery, and we make a variety of different sweet treats! Check out our menu if you’re interested in getting a special treat yourself. We also provide a variety of alternative diet options for those that require gluten free, vegan, all free, or sugar free options.
Our Story
1990
Our co-founders, Michael and Tempa Kohler’s son Bradley is born with an unknown disability.
1997
Bradley is diagnosed with fragile X syndrome.
1998
Michael Kohler’s job relocates to Georgia. The family decides on Gwinnett County due to its special needs opportunities.
2008
The Kohler family begins to think about plans for Bradley after he ages out of special needs programs. They realize there aren’t many options available for adults with special needs. They begin to feel that God is giving them a vision to open a bakery that could impact the whole community.
2012
Bradley turns 22 with no more county-supported programs.
2013
Special Kneads and Treats, Inc. is founded as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, dedicated to hiring special needs adults and providing birthday cakes for kids who can’t afford them.
2014
God provides an opportunity for a location. We officially open on Lawrenceville Square on January 23rd, also Michael’s mother’s birthday. The first customers through the door are a special needs group that had no idea we had just opened. The last customers that day are a young couple with their wheelchair bound child who had chosen to have dessert rather than dinner for their anniversary as they could only afford one. This serves as confirmation from God that we are following his will.
2017
We purchase a 12,000 square-foot facility, 8 blocks from our original space, to fulfill our visions to employ more special needs and create a space more suitable for those requiring wheelchairs and walkers. This also opens up opportunities to handle larger contracted orders by stores and businesses that may wish to sell our products.
2019
Graystone Church hosts our first annual Gala-Q on March 22nd.
2020
We close to the public due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and gradually reopen over the course of the next several months.
2021
An incredible response to the $100,000 Challenge results in the new facility being paid off.