FAYETTEVILLE — Debra Trusty knows herself too well to work directly with Faith in Action’s clients.
For two years, Trusty has been volunteering her time with Faith in Action, an organization that offers a wide range of services, all geared toward helping senior citizens in Washington and Benton counties retain their independence.
In 2011, Faith in Action volunteers drove more than 21,000 miles to help clients get to grocery stores, doctors offices and pharmacies. Trusty didn’t make any of these drives herself.
“I’d get really attached,” says Trusty, who lives in Springdale and is a director of supply-chain strategy at Del Monte. “I’d want totake them home with me. That’s why I like to provide the strategy, how to make sure the supply is there for that demand.”
Knowing that she would become too attached if she worked directly with clients, Trusty focuses her energy on Faith in Action’s big picture. She is vice chairman of its advisory board, and will be chairman next year.
She also works on the planning of Savor the Flavor, Faith in Action’s popular annual fundraiser. The 2012 edition will take place Tuesday, on Dickson Street in downtown Fayetteville. The tasting runs from 5-9 p.m., and the afterparty goes from 8-9:30 p.m. at the Garden Room, where people start and finish the event.
Savor the Flavor is aself-guided walking tour, in which 15 Fayetteville restaurants are participating. Tickets are $40, and children under age 5 attend free; admission to the afterparty is included with the price of a ticket.
The event has sold out the last five years. As of the middle of last week, fewer than 200 tickets remained for sale; ticket sales are capped at 800.
“We’re so excited about Savor the Flavor,” Trusty says. “The way I look at it, it’s kind of a cheap date. You get to taste all these restaurants’ food without having to stop at every one of them, and then learn about Faith in Action as well. It’s a fun atmosphere.”
Savor the Flavor provides about 60 percent of Faith in Action’s annual operatingbudget, says its program manager, Jaclyn Keeter. It’s the only fundraiser the organization holds, so it’s not only important financially, but it’s also a time to spread word of what Faith in Action does.
Last year, 137 Faith in Action volunteers donated 4,077 hours of their time, as they and 36 community groups provided more than 4,100 services for 133 clients. Those numbers are sizable, to be sure, and their impact was great, but Trusty says more volunteers are needed, as there is a waiting list for clients.
Volunteers don’t have to shuttle clients to appointments; there are numerous ways to get involved. Some people help with cleaning or light home maintenance,while others pay a home visit to senior citizens or chat with them on the telephone.
Every contact makes a difference, Trusty says, which is why she hopes that Savor the Flavor will spur more people to get involved.
“We all want to be home where we’re comfortable with our pets and significant others, and this just helps them to be able to do that,” Trusty says. “With the baby boomers coming up, we know the need’s going to grow.
“A lot of us can sit and make phone calls or read to people. We all have different strengths that we can share.”
Founded in 1996, Faith in Action is under the umbrella of the Washington Regional Foundation.
For more information about Faith in Action or Savor the Flavor, call (479) 463-7862 or visit
wregional/ com/faithinaction
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Northwest Profile, Pages 33 on 09/02/2012