Winter Park resident and business owner Sarah Krantz is using her success to raise funds in the fight against multiple sclerosis. Best known for the home-baked treats she sells as MsChallahMama on her Instagram and Facebook pages, she is also an avid supporter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and a participant in the annual Walk MS events.
Her online business offers unique takes on challah: a braided bread served during traditional Jewish observances such as Shabbat. When the pandemic temporarily closed her daughter’s preschool at Roth Family Jewish Community Center of Greater Orlando, Krantz began mother-daughter baking projects that resulted in selections of sweet and savory challah recipes. “Once I got the base down, I started baking in larger quantities,” said Krantz, who balances the part-time business with her job as a criminal defense attorney.
Give-aways to friends and co-workers became sales opportunities when word got around and curiosity became demand. “I wanted to know what their opinion was, then I started asking people, ‘Would you buy this?’” Krantz needed to cover costs when she went from baking for a family of four to producing more than two-dozen loaves each week. But as the pastime began earning a profit, she saw a chance to use her newfound success for a greater good.
“The ‘MS’ in MsChallahMama was always supposed to stand for multiple sclerosis,” said Krantz, who was diagnosed in 2019. Her treatments began with oral medication but were eventually switched to a monthly infusion of the drug Tysabri. “I’ve definitely been on the lucky side: no relapses, I go for MRIs of the brain and spine every six months, and there’s been no progression.”
She registered for her first Walk MS: Orlando in 2020, just in time to experience its first virtual event but was still able to raise $3,000 for the cause. “The walk in 2021 was also virtual, so this year will be my third in-person,” she said. “I create a team and have friends and family who walk with me.”
A portion of every MsChallahMama sale goes to National Multiple Sclerosis Society with an additional monetary donation made at the end of March in support of the walk. Krantz also provides edible donations on the day of the event. “I’ll bring about 70-100 rolls for people at the walk,” she said. “Everybody brings their kids, there’s a big party atmosphere, and it’s nice to see people who are all there for the same cause.”
Krantz is humble about her efforts but her desire to give back is rooted in the knowledge that there are many who are not as fortunate as she has been. “You run into people you wouldn’t expect to see at the events,” she said. “More people than you would assume know someone or are personally affected by MS.”
Walk MS: Orlando 2024 is scheduled for Saturday, April 13, at Blue Jacket Park. The site opens at 7:30 a.m. with events starting at 8:15 a.m. Click here for more information and ways to donate.
