How Tina Fey’s comedy — and binge-eating preferences — inspired a local fundraiser

Remember how “sheet caking” became a thing?

The Thurston County Democratic Women plan to eat their feelings at a fundraiser next month, inspired by comedian Tina Fey.

In August, during an appearance on NBC’s “Weekend Update: Summer Edition,” Fey suggested channeling one’s anger over current events into eating sheet cake — and she delivered her message through forkfuls of cake.

“Sheet caking is a grassroots movement. … Most of the women I know have been doing it once a week since the election,” Fey said in the skit.

The Thurston County Democratic Women organization has been around for years, but stepped up its activities following last year’s presidential election, said Christine Garst, the group’s president. For its first fundraiser, members wanted to strike a lighter tone.

“Sometimes you just need to get together and commiserate and do something fun, along with all the angst that’s out there right now,” Garst said. “Take a break from the protesting and the rallies and stuff and just eat cake.”

The Oct. 1 fundraiser will be at the Abigail Stuart House, 1002 Washington St. SE, Olympia. Suggested donations are $20 for “Friends of Tina Fey” and $40 for “Foes of Donny Johnny,” according to the group’s Facebook.

This story was originally published September 20, 2017 at 5:05 PM with the headline "How Tina Fey’s comedy — and binge-eating preferences — inspired a local fundraiser."