Jimmie Conduff, LifeSource, Executive Director
Tell us about your organization:
Empty Bowls
Who: LifeSource International
What: Soup, bread, dessert, hand-crafted pottery
When: 6-8 p.m. Oct. 3
Where: Barn at the Springs in Springdale
Tickets: $40 or $350 for a table for 10
Information: (479) 521-4000 or lifesourcenwa.org
• Mission: The vision of LifeSource is restoring the hope of a bright future to disadvantaged people and fractured communities in Northwest Arkansas. This vision is accomplished via our mission, which is to strengthen families and build communities.
• Services provided: Food pantry Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, 8:30-11:30 a.m. and Monday, 6-7 p.m.; Spanish speaking pantry, Thursday 5:30-7 p.m.; after-school program during the school year; summer day camp for eight weeks; adult education; senior luncheons the first and third Saturdays of each month, serving lunch at 11:30 a.m.; family and marital counseling.
• Service area: Food pantry, counseling, adult education, summer day camp and senior lunches serve all of Northwest Arkansas and the surrounding area based on being able to come to our facility. After-school serves Greenland and Fayetteville schools.
• Average number of people served annually: Approximately 63,100 people.
•How is your organization's mission unique? We don't just give a handout, we also give a hand up.
• Why do you work for a nonprofit organization? Do you have a personal connection to the mission? If so, what is it? It's close to my heart. There were times growing up that my parents had to choose between paying the bills or buying food. I love helping people. One of the best feelings ever is knowing that you made a difference in someone's life.
• What part of your job fills the most of your time? Time with people, and paperwork.
• What have you learned on the job that you didn't't expect? Maybe how much paperwork and planning actually goes into programs.
•What challenges face your organization? Funding is always a challenge for every nonprofit.
• Are there volunteer opportunities in your organization? What are they? We have many different opportunities right now, and more upcoming. We have our food pantry that is every Monday, Wednesday and Thursday morning from 8:30-11:30 then again Monday from 6 to 7 p.m. Of course, coming any time from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday would help us getting ready for the next pantry or program. We do still need a couple of volunteers for the Empty Bowl event, and also there is a big food drive coming up in November that we need around 100 volunteers for. Our after-school program is Monday through Friday from 3 to 5:30 p.m.
•What upcoming fundraisers and/or other events does your organization have planned? Empty Bowls is Oct 3.
NAN Profiles on 09/29/2019