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Now that the costumes have been put away, the candy has been inventoried and the candles in our jack-o-lanterns have been blown out, we’ve found ourselves solidly in the Thanksgiving season!

As we gear up for family gatherings and warm home-cooked meals, there are many opportunities to make sure other people in our community also have full bellies this holiday season. Below is a list of just a few of the ways we can give back during this time of year:

  • This year, Charlotte Rescue Mission has the goal of providing 5,000 Thanksgiving meal boxes to families in need, but they need help to reach that goal. According to their website, a donation of just $2.00 can provide a Thanksgiving meal. Learn more here.
  • Supporting WIF nonprofit partner, The Bulb, provides an opportunity for families living in food deserts to have fresh and healthy foods to feed their families for the holidays. Read more about their markets or donate your time here.
  • Hope Street Pantry serves families in the 28269 zip code by providing food and acceptance to those in need. With the goal of feeding 300 families this Thanksgiving, Hope Street Pantry needs support from our community.  Learn about 8 different ways you can help here.
  • Second Harvest Food Bank is holding its Annual Harvest Feast Marathon Food/Fund Drive at Stonecrest at Piper Glen Shopping Center on November 11, 12, and 19, 2022. Learn more about the event here. Can’t join in person? You can text “shmetrolina” to 243725 or round up your Harris Teeter purchase now through December 31, 2022.
  • Another WIF nonprofit partner, Community Culinary School of Charlotte, is offering Thanksgiving dinners for $29.50 per person. Order your meals here by November 18. Proceeds go to support the school in supporting workforce development in the culinary arts. Learn more about their impact on our community here.
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Janet LaBar

Executive Director​
jlabar@womensimpactfund.org

With more than 25 years of experience, Janet has a proven track record of leading organizations and teams in developing strategies that foster thriving communities. Her career is dedicated to the well-being of the places she serves, and the people and businesses within them, positioning her as a trusted sounding board, critical thinker, and purposeful protagonist across corporate, government, education, entrepreneurial, and civic spheres.
Janet joined Women’s Impact Fund in June 2025 to guide one of Charlotte’s most respected, women-led philanthropic organizations into its next phase of growth and impact. In partnership with the Women’s Impact Fund team, Board, Advisors, members, volunteers, and key community partners, she will continue strengthening communities by maximizing women’s leadership in philanthropy through collective giving, education, and engagement.
Inspired by her family, teams who dare greatly, and people and communities striving to be their best selves, Janet’s impactful career includes leadership roles as President and CEO of Charlotte Regional Business Alliance, President and CEO of Greater Portland Inc, and Chief Performance Officer of Greater Phoenix Economic Council. As a first-generation Filipino American, her lived experience deeply informs her professional drive to create equitable economic growth and opportunity in the metro areas she’s served.
She holds a BA in Communication Arts from the University of West Florida and an MBA in Marketing from the University of Phoenix. Janet and her husband James are proud parents to an older daughter, and a daughter and son who are twins.