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Stories of Impact: The Bulb

By Karen Barton

The Bulb is thrilled to have started a new market in East Charlotte at ourBRIDGE for KIDS, in partnership with United Neighborhoods. At their first market, they welcomed over 60 households representing over a dozen nationalities and languages. They have seen consistent growth in the weeks since and have been supported by wonderful partners at ourBRIDGE and Refugee Support Services, and dedicated volunteers. Several volunteers have been Johnson & Wales students who created nutrition education materials that The Bulb regularly displays at the markets! 

In March, the Bulb kicked off their most recent market at the West Charlotte Rec Center. The turnout was phenomenal and the feedback from community members was telling of the positive impact The Bulb can have on the lives of individuals and families. One woman let them know she struggles with an eating disorder and that fresh produce is not something she’s generally able to afford. What The Bulb is offering her helps to fuel her body in a nutritious way. 

In 2023 The Bulb hosted 618 mobile markets, realized 3,091 hours of volunteer effort, grew 8,519 lb of fresh produce on their farms, served 24,559 guests at mobile markets, impacted 76,335 individuals by total household size through their mobile markets, distributed 349,305 lb of fresh produce to communities and diverted 179,609 lb of produce from the landfill byway of their food rescue program. 

The Bulb has lots of volunteer opportunities available! Please visit their SignUp Genius page for weekly openings and email the volunteer manager, Carter, at BULBATEER@THEBULBGALLERY.ORG for group opportunities! 

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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.