For its third year, the Great American Bake Sale has a new chef in charge.

Rebecca Lazar has taken over the reins from her sister, Allie, who founded the fundraiser for hunger charities, and has gone on to the University of Pittsburgh to study pharmacy.

The sale began Tuesday and continues from 7:30 to 9 p.m. today and Thursday in Hickory High School, Hermitage.

The sale raised $1,166 in its first year, and $535 last year. This year’s goal is $1,000.

Last year’s total probably was hurt because it coincided with a band trip to Florida. Rebecca is allowing the musicians absent last year to make up for it — the sale will coincide with school concerts.

Rebecca, a 17-year-old junior, said she wanted to take over the bake sale because she plans to attend the Culinary Institute of America, Poughkeepsie, N.Y.

“I’m going to make it more gourmet,” she said of the sale. “We’re going to make it a little fancier.”

Taking over the bake sale has been scary, but exciting, Rebecca said.

“It’s a lot of work getting everybody in the community to bake and everybody in the school to help, but it does pay off,” she said.

Anyone interested in baking or volunteering can call Rebecca’s mom, Vivian Lazar, at 724-301-6166.

“We need a lot more baked goods,” said Rebecca, who has the assistance of Hickory’s Students for Charity.

Proceeds will be donated to Share Our Strength. The non-profit organization uses money raised at bake sales across the nation to provide grants for afterschool and summer food programs, and run family nutrition programs.

“It’s a great organization because it’s about time somebody helped people in America,” Rebecca said.