Celebrating a birthday is a special time for most young children.  But what if their parents can't afford to throw them a birthday party -- or even make them a cake?

Kelly Eggleston of Spokane, Wash., started the non-profit organization Free Cakes for Kids to address that need.

Eggleston found nearly 40 bakers on Craigslist to make free cakes for needy kids.
    
The group gave away 140 birthday cakes last year, and their goal is to give away 200 cakes this year.
    
Most of the referrals come from local foster agencies and the Big Brothers Big Sisters organization.

"We go into some pretty shady neighborhoods and places, and it's always that hope that you've put a seed into a child that someone cared about them and love them enough to give them a cake," Eggleston told Spokane television station KXLY.

"Hopefully that little bit will grow in them," she added.

One of the bakers, Jessica Manfredonia, says the most rewarding thing for her is delivering the cakes to the kids. 

"To see them jump up and down and get excited and give you a hug is probably most rewarding," she said.