Community members spend Labor Day volunteering in Springdale

SPRINGDALE, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — Some people in the Northwest Arkansas community spent their Labor Day volunteering with For the Love NWA’s Neighbor Night in Springdale.

Julie Shook decided to give up her pool time to serve free meals with the nonprofit organization.

Shook started volunteering in November 2023.

“I’m a Springdale Rotarian, and so our group had signed up that night, and from that night forward, I had fallen in love with it. It fills my heart,” Shook said. “I love being with my community, the diversity of our community. I know several of the neighbors’ names that come.”

After nearly a year of service to her community, she was placing containers filled with food in plastic bags and giving them to those in need.

“We are having Slim Chickens tonight, which is exciting,” Shook said.

Shook says they usually have chef Dylan McClure prepare the food.

“Our kitchen is at [NorthWest Arkansas Community College] and because they are out of school right now, we weren’t sure what the temperatures would be like. And so, we decided not to have Chef go in a hot kitchen. And so, we were able to venture out and have fun tonight,” Shook said.

Volunteering allows her to connect with neighbors.

“We’re on a first-name basis with a lot of them. And so, I want to know about their week. They want to know about my week. And so, we’re just catching up,” Shook said.

Among the dozens of For the Love NWA Volunteers was a mother-daughter duo, Lisa and Lyla Crouthers.

“She’s off school. I’m off work. And we thought it was the perfect time to come out and share some time with our community, share a meal with them,” Lisa said.

Lyla says volunteering is fun, especially with her mom.

“Because we get to bond together,” Lyla said.

Anybody can volunteer with the organization.

“We have a place for anyone and everyone, regardless of age,” Shook said.

Like for 8-year-old Avery Pace who says he didn’t want to spend the day watching TV and instead came here with his friend.

“I want to help the community and everybody who doesn’t have food and stuff and a house,” Pace said.

Lisa emphasizes the importance of volunteering.

“Because that’s what runs our organization. If we didn’t have our volunteers we wouldn’t be able to feed our communities,” Lisa said.

But it’s more than just serving someone a meal.

“Some people need it, not just because they might need it moneywise. They might just need a friend,” Lyla said.

Mazie Cristofaro, a volunteer with For the Love NWA, says she learned that everyone is a family here.

“It doesn’t matter where you come from or who you are. We’re all like a family and we can all eat together and just be in one community,” Cristofaro said.

Neighbor Nights are every Monday in Springdale, Tuesdays in Rogers, and Thursdays in Bentonville from 5:30-6:30 p.m.

“We want anybody and everybody to come out and have a meal with us.  We love just the neighborhood coming together and the community coming together with each other. And so, we want any walks of life to come out. So, we invite anyone in the community just can be with us, have dinner with us tonight,” Shook said.

If you would like to volunteer, you can sign up here .

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