Madelynn Frump is a student at Purdue University Northwest who has a passion for baking and spreading kindness.
Frump just finished her sophomore year studying communication, and serves as an intern for HealthLinc.
“I like to take some time for myself and do things that I really love,” she said. “So one of the things that I absolutely love and am insanely passionate about is my baking.”
Frump has been baking since middle school, and her family and friends eventually encouraged her to sell her baked goods.
“It’s just always been a thing in my family. I’m kind of from a bigger family, and so cooking together and baking together has always been our thing,” she said. “I just love baking, and it’s just what I do. It’s what I’m passionate about.”
Frump runs a Facebook page called Stuff Your Face Bakery, where customers can place orders by messaging her. Frump bakes what the customer orders and then delivers it to them. For Frump, baking is a passion that she will continue to pursue.
“I want to be able to do something where I don’t think of it as a job, something that I enjoy doing and love doing. And even though it can frustrate me to no end, I still love it,” she said.
When she’s stressed or needs to take time for herself, she bakes. Frump said several people in her life encourage her when she’s down or needs advice One of them, Bryce Leach, is always there to support her. Frump hopes to be a person who supports others and show kindness to people.
“Everybody has their own stuff that they’re going through, and I have stuff that I’m going through too, but ultimately if I’m being nice to somebody it can help their day,” she said. “I want to be able to help make them smile, help relieve some stress, make them feel good because that’s what makes me feel good too.”
Recently, Frump posted on Snapchat, telling all the students who are still going through exams that she would bake something for them for free as a way of lifting their spirits. So far she has made cinnamon rolls, a cake, cookies and other baked goods for students taking exams.
Frump has lived in Valparaiso her whole life, and she said she enjoys being involved in the community to make connections and spend time with people.
“As humans, I think we’re very personable and we want to be around people. And to me, it’s just second nature to want to help others and be there for them, so I think it’s just a good thing that people are part of their communities, something bigger than yourself. You’re always thinking about somebody else. You’re helping other people -- it’s never truly about yourself, it’s about others,” Frump said.