National Muffin Day is a charitable food holiday dedicated to baking and sharing muffins with those experiencing homelessness while raising awareness and funds for homeless causes.
Quick Facts
- When is it?: February 20th annually
- Tagged as: Food & Drink, Charitable Giving
- What’s the hashtag?: #givemuffins
- When was it founded?: 2014
- Who founded it?: Jacob Kaufman and Julia Levy
History
What started as one man’s simple act of kindness—sharing homemade muffins with homeless individuals during his morning commute in San Francisco—evolved into a global movement. Tech lawyer Jacob Kaufman’s initiative caught the attention of writer Julia Levy, leading to their collaboration in establishing National Muffin Day as a way to inspire others to give back to their communities.
Timeline
- 1703: First printed appearance of “muffin” (spelled “moofin”)
- 1820: “Muffin Man” rhyme first published
- 2013: Kaufman begins giving away muffins
- 2014: National Muffin Day established
- 2016: Over 100 participants join worldwide
Dates by Next Year
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Feb 20 | Thursday |
| 2026 | Feb 20 | Friday |
| 2027 | Feb 20 | Saturday |
| 2028 | Feb 20 | Sunday |
| 2029 | Feb 20 | Tuesday |
Observed
The day is celebrated by baking muffins and distributing them to homeless individuals, followed by donations to homeless charities. Participants, known as “Muffinteers,” often donate in $12 increments to symbolize a dozen muffins.
Fun Facts About Muffins
- The word may derive from the German “muffen” or French “moufflet”
- English muffins originated in Wales over 1000 years ago
- American-style muffins emerged in the 18th century
- Over 15,000 muffins have been distributed across 50+ cities
Quiz
- When was the first National Muffin Day celebrated?
- What’s the suggested donation amount?
- Who is known as “The Muffin Man”?
(Answers: 1. 2014, 2. $12, 3. Jacob Kaufman)
FAQs
How can I participate?
Bake muffins, share them with homeless individuals, and donate to homeless charities.
What’s the purpose?
To raise awareness about homelessness while spreading kindness through baking.
Importance of National Muffin Day
The day transforms a simple food holiday into a meaningful charitable movement, connecting communities and raising awareness about homelessness while promoting acts of kindness.
Related
- World Food Day
- National Baking Day
- Homelessness Awareness Day
- National Day of Giving