Doing Good: The Cobblestone Project
By: Laine Baker
Updated: December 12, 2011
The Samaritan Center feeds 1,200 people lunch every week. That wouldn't be possible without fresh fruits and vegetables, all provided by the Cobblestone Project.
"It helps us provide food to people that with their meek income they wouldn't be able to pick up at the store," said Heather Townzen, with Samaritan Community Center.
The Cobblestone Project reaches out to many groups and people in Northwest Arkansas through its different initiatives. The Farm provides food to local people in need, Help Portrait takes family photos for those who can't afford them, Shear Kindness offers low-income women and children haircuts, and Our Step provides the resources for the homeless to find a place to live. Volunteers also spend their time packing bags for the Three Days, Two Bags program, providing necessities to people in need - and once a month Cobblestone makes it possible for the less fortunate to wash their clothes for free during the Laundry Love events.
"There are a lot of great agencies in Northwest Arkansas, and we want to be able to connect them together," said Katelyn Graves, Operations Manager for Cobblestone Project.
The project aims to find solutions for social problems, and while doing so show people in need that the community cares.
"Everyone is unique because of the shared human story," Graves said. "We want to highlight those stories, engage people and show them dignity and respect because everybody deserves that."
People and groups - like the Samaritan Center being helped by Cobblestone Project say the program brings the community together.
"It is so important for us to be able to partner together, better connect and be able to better serve people," Townzen said.
For more information on the Cobblestone Project go to: http://www.cobblestoneproject.org/
"It helps us provide food to people that with their meek income they wouldn't be able to pick up at the store," said Heather Townzen, with Samaritan Community Center.
The Cobblestone Project reaches out to many groups and people in Northwest Arkansas through its different initiatives. The Farm provides food to local people in need, Help Portrait takes family photos for those who can't afford them, Shear Kindness offers low-income women and children haircuts, and Our Step provides the resources for the homeless to find a place to live. Volunteers also spend their time packing bags for the Three Days, Two Bags program, providing necessities to people in need - and once a month Cobblestone makes it possible for the less fortunate to wash their clothes for free during the Laundry Love events.
"There are a lot of great agencies in Northwest Arkansas, and we want to be able to connect them together," said Katelyn Graves, Operations Manager for Cobblestone Project.
The project aims to find solutions for social problems, and while doing so show people in need that the community cares.
"Everyone is unique because of the shared human story," Graves said. "We want to highlight those stories, engage people and show them dignity and respect because everybody deserves that."
People and groups - like the Samaritan Center being helped by Cobblestone Project say the program brings the community together.
"It is so important for us to be able to partner together, better connect and be able to better serve people," Townzen said.
For more information on the Cobblestone Project go to: http://www.cobblestoneproject.org/
