Flippin' the Switch
Flippin' the Switch
S6 E10: Powering Community In The Season Of Giving
On this episode of Flippin' the Switch, we highlight how United Way of Onslow County shows what happens when generosity works like infrastructure—steady, practical, and built to last. Raquel Painter joins us to share how small, consistent acts can have a real impact: students are fed through the CHEW program, families gain access to fresh produce, and neighbors move from crisis to stable housing with wraparound support.
Raquel walks us through their model—funding vetted nonprofits, coordinating a volunteer network that runs smoothly, and expanding food access through a community garden that’s now growing into plans for a 28-acre farm. That future farm will supply disaster relief hubs and help the community learn where to turn long before an emergency hits.
We also dive into their transitional housing project: 111 units designed with on-site services for therapy, substance-use support, documentation, banking, and job pathways that help people rebuild long-term. United Way’s reentry efforts show what’s possible when barriers come down.
And in a rapid-fire segment, Joe—our lineman preparing to join NRECA International in Guatemala—reminds us how technical skills can become life-changing service. Bringing electricity to a village opens doors in education, health, and opportunity.
Want to help? Volunteer through Volunteer Onslow, donate at uwonslow.org, or share this episode with someone who believes local action creates lasting change.
Well, welcome back, listeners. And on this month's edition of Flippin' the Switch, we are focusing on the season of giving. And giving has a lot of different meanings and connotations, but most certainly it means giving back to our community. And as we head into the holidays, today we are very honored to have Raquel Painter with us. And she is with the Onsla United Way. And her organization, if you don't know, is always spreading some holiday spirit throughout the year. It doesn't just happen in November and December. It's happening 12 months of the year. So welcome to Flippin the Switch, Raquel.
SPEAKER_03:Thank you for having me.
SPEAKER_02:Oh, we're so happy to have you. You've been on our podcast before, so this is like no problem for you. Um, we love having you here each and every time because there's always something new and innovative that you guys are doing for folks in the community. So let's just get started. Now, United Way is one of those unique organizations because you guys are one organization, but you help a ton of different organizations in the community. So we'd like to kind of call that a ripple effect. And it really, you guys are creating tidal waves in the community. So kudos. So you're welcome. So this time of the year, giving kind of takes a special meaning. And so, how do you think and do you feel United Way is engaging with the community in meaningful ways throughout the year and in the holiday season?
SPEAKER_03:Well, United Way is very busy. Um, as you mentioned, we do um sort of hold an umbrella over the community. One of our um main programs that we do is we do fund other nonprofits. So we do our annual giving campaign every year, which currently happening now? Yes, is a big part of that. Um, but we collect funds there so we could redistribute throughout the community to really focus on where the needs are. And the good thing about that is um all the programs or agencies are really scrutinized through United Ways planning and strategic planning for the community where we know they're financially stable, they're they're great organizations within the community. So we make sure the money's going to where it's most needed in our community.
SPEAKER_02:Which is huge because whenever you make a donation, you want it to make the biggest impact it possibly can.
SPEAKER_03:Yes, yes.
SPEAKER_02:And I know you guys do a great job with that. I know just personally here at Jones Onslow, we contribute, and it's so nice because you have so many options of things that you want to be involved in in the community, and United Way is like the one-stop shop for all of that.
SPEAKER_03:Yes, exactly. So, in addition to providing the um funding to other nonprofits, we also have probably the most popular program is our two program, our children children healthy eating on the weekends. And that was really started through um a PTA organization down in Dixon. Okay. Um, which they saw the need of children coming to school hungry. So they brought it up to the community. They reached out to United Way, and here two is, you know, 14 years later. Going strong. Going strong. You know, it started with one school and 10 children. Now we're at, you know, 38 schools and now we're close to eleven hundred children every weekend.
SPEAKER_02:I mean, it's tremendously sad to think that there are that many kids that don't have a healthy meal to go home to. But what a great testament to the community rallying around one small need that kind of blossomed in the spiritual.
SPEAKER_03:Oh, yes, yes. Well, when you think about a child hungry, you know, they're not able to learn, you know, they're not paying attention. They become a behavior problem when they're just hungry. You know, they just want to eat. And we know how we are when we just skip a lunch. You know, oh yeah. Well, you know, you think about a Snickers ad. Oh yeah. Just give give the hangry lady your eating bar. Yeah. And children a lot of times don't have a way to communicate that because they're not understanding why they're not they're not eating like other people are. So we really um do take pride in owning that program. And the good thing is, even though it's you know, close to 1100 children, the social workers are saying we're meeting the need with that. That's great. Yes. That is great.
SPEAKER_02:You know, could you talk a little bit about how that program works?
SPEAKER_03:Yeah, so um United Way doesn't know the children um specifically, like names and sexes and the grades. All we do is get the numbers from the social workers and how many bags they need that week.
SPEAKER_02:So I know for people that are wondering in the community, you can certainly help to do pack outs with you guys, right? Oh my gosh, yes, yes.
SPEAKER_03:The Chew program really relies on volunteers. Um, we got volunteers that come to pack the bags for us. We got volunteers to pick up and deliver the bags to the schools. And obviously, from the schools, you know, the kids take them home with them. Um, I had a uh individual ask me, you know, why can't I donate more money to give them more food?
unknown:Right.
SPEAKER_03:I was like, Well, you gotta think of a five-year-old in kindergarten have to carry this bag home. Right. You know, we we gotta make sure it's a lot. So when you're providing, you know, two breakfasts, two lunches, two dinners, and some healthy snacks, we can't overpack it because the child won't be able to even carry it home.
SPEAKER_02:Which that's a that's something that most people don't think about is like, you know, you want to give them all the things. Yes. But we don't think about how it actually gets to the home with them. So that's great advice.
SPEAKER_03:Yeah, because most kids are they're walking or they're taking the bus.
SPEAKER_02:Mm-hmm. And they already have like I think about like my kids, how much stuff they have, but a kindergartner, you know, you've got a book bag that's sometimes as big as they are. Big as they are, exactly. You know, they got a lunch box, they may have something else, and then you got to carry that bag too. So yeah, that's great advice.
SPEAKER_03:Yeah, yeah. So we always say the smaller, the better. You know, um, we do get individuals that would donate like a a jar of peanut butter, for example. Right. Um, so we do got a shelf put aside for um emergencies. So social workers know exactly what families have emergencies. They would come and pack up a box for them. Oh, that's incredible. And take it to them at the school or even deliver it to their homes. Oh, that's really the social workers are really on top of the families at the schools and who needs it more than others.
SPEAKER_02:Well, are there like any items that you guys are in need of? I know Vienna sausages were a thing the other day I saw.
SPEAKER_03:Um, are there any things that you guys are in need of? So what we're always lacking is the the protein or the meat source for them. You know, we do get a lot of snacks, you know, we do get a lot of breakfast items, but really a canned vegetable goes a long way for the family. Um a can of chicken or tuna goes a long ways because they mix that with their mac and cheese, or you know, you can make more meals from that. So anytime somebody could um donate any type of protein in that aspect, that'd be great.
SPEAKER_02:And if a person plans on doing a donation, where do they drop it off?
SPEAKER_03:They drop it off at United Way. So we're located at 118 Cheney Avenue, which is right behind the Jacksville Public Safety Building. Perfect. And it's also close to Newbridge Middle School.
SPEAKER_02:So if someone knows where that is, as far as like an icon in town. Yes. Well, the shoe program is really great because you can volunteer in a number of ways. You can give items, but also you can do the packouts on the certain days. What is it, Wednesdays and Saturdays? Wednesdays and Saturdays, yes. And that's great because it's a good group getting together as far as the community. And if you ever have an office that's wanting to do that, we've done that as Jones Onslow. Fifteen of us went in there and we packed out 1,100 boxes in 30 minutes. Oh, yeah. That's crazy.
SPEAKER_03:It takes no time at all because you know, um, we got it so that it's assembly line production. Right. So it doesn't take long at all.
SPEAKER_02:Well, kudos to your staff, especially Joe who does the shoe program because he's got it like a well-oiled machine down there. So anybody that wants to do either of those things, we'll give you a contact number later and then they can kind of coordinate with it. Oh, yeah, yeah. Now, chew is one thing that you guys are doing, but I also saw a nice little new initiative that you guys are doing at the United Way.
SPEAKER_03:Yes, I'm so excited.
SPEAKER_02:That's like something just incredible to add on top of everything else you do. Can you tell us a little bit about what that is?
SPEAKER_03:Yes. So we got um a community garden um now that's located behind our our building, but this came about because we got so many um families out here that don't have access to fresh produce. And a lot of people are surprised on how many food deserts we have in our area. You know, you just think of, I'll just say Hubert, for example. They don't even have a grocery store. No, they're Dollar General. They got a Dollar General, yeah. And you know, kudos to Dollar General um just because now you see more fresh produce in there. That's true. Yeah, they redid their um, I guess, refrigerated items so there's more of selection because they know people are shopping there because a lot of times that's the closest place a person has.
SPEAKER_02:Absolutely.
SPEAKER_03:Um, but we wanted to bring more fresh produce to the community for those people who are lacking that. So the plan is to um use the garden beds to produce that, but we also got a community farm. I'm so excited about this one.
SPEAKER_02:That's awesome. Yes.
SPEAKER_03:So as soon as I leave here, I'll be heading out there to um pick up our caterpillar tunnel for them.
SPEAKER_02:Oh, that's really cool.
SPEAKER_03:But we're gonna have fruit trees out there and mulberry bushes and um blueberry bushes. Yes, it's 28 acres. Wow. 28 acres, but you can imagine how much we could produce for the community.
SPEAKER_02:So will that be volunteer driven as well?
SPEAKER_03:That's gonna be volunteer driven. We are gonna need volunteers, especially if a person has a green thumb, we need their help. Don't we all need their green thing? We don't have a green thumb, yeah.
SPEAKER_02:I mean, if you have a green thumb, please call in because I've got some plants that need assistance. I mean, honestly.
SPEAKER_03:Yeah, so we're excited about that. But this just goes to show United Way when people bring in need, we try to find a solution for that.
SPEAKER_02:Well, also when someone has a great idea, you guys don't just say, Oh, that's a good idea. You guys kind of have taken it and ran with it, which is great. I mean, that's kind of how the garden started growing up.
SPEAKER_03:Yeah, this the garden started because we were doing the Healthy Opportunities Pilot Program, which we were giving boxes of food to to children who were home. Um, and we needed fresh produce. So we had an Eagle Scout, you know, love those Eagle Scouts. Yeah, they're busy. Yes, they are. Um, but he made six beds for us back there. So um with um Lowe's home improvement and um the sheriff's department, we were able to add additional 16 beds.
SPEAKER_02:That like I've driven by and I'm just so amazed at how much that's grown since those original six.
SPEAKER_03:Yes.
SPEAKER_02:And you know, that just speaks to when you see a need, you find a way to conquer it. Oh, yeah, you guys are doing that, and the farm seems like a great initiative as well.
SPEAKER_03:Oh, that's another one. Yeah. Yeah. So it's gonna go nice because a lot of people don't know we do disaster relief for our community. So whenever there's a disaster, United Way um, with our umbrella of volunteers, we manage the organizations that come into our community, um, you know, because everybody comes in to help after that, which is needed, but you got to have someone on the ground that manages that, and that's what we do. So with the fresh produce, we're gonna use our disaster relief sites. Oh, that's a great idea. To set up uh the um distribution station so people get used to going there. So when there is a disaster, there's no question where they go to to get their their yes, they already know.
SPEAKER_02:Well, that's smart because it's serving that's kind of dual purpose. Yeah you know, you're getting the boxes to the community, but you're also training them like if there was an emergency, this is where you're gonna go. This is where you're gonna go. Yeah, so it's like your safety station. So that's incredible. Now, we've talked about all these great things you guys are doing. Do you see any programs or initiatives on the forefront?
SPEAKER_03:Yes, the big one that we have, obviously we got a huge housing issue in our community. Well, it's really across the United States, but there's just not enough affordable housing. You know, we got a lot of people who are unhoused. You know, we got 384 children who are considered homeless. So sad. It it really is. And I think um when you think of our community, and you know, even though it's so transitional for some of our population, a lot of our population does live here and stay here. Right. But we have um people that just can't afford it, they just can't afford to stay. We are eyeing a property um here in Jacksville to make transitional housing. Oh, that would be great.
SPEAKER_02:Yes, yes, it's gonna the homeless shelter is not the end all be all. And I think a lot of people like that's the easy fix, the band-aid. They're great at what they do, and they're we're very lucky to have them. But there needs to be like a next step for that.
SPEAKER_03:There has to be a next step. There has to be. Um, when you think of um our shelters here, it's still only a night-to-night thing. Right. You know, um, and then they're only um allowed to be there so long. But with the transitional housing, it's got 111 units. Oh wow. So it's it's big, it's got a lot of room to um, you know, take the people that we need off of the streets, um, but really get them set up. Yeah. We're gonna have resources there on on board for them, substance abuse, um, therapy, you know, whatever that person needs to feel whole so they can become a productive member of the company. And that's what you want.
SPEAKER_02:That's what we want. You're basically turning on like a reset switch for that person, but in a very safe and collective environment. So that's that's incredible.
SPEAKER_03:Yeah, because not everybody's needs is the same. So we like to say, you know, everybody's homeless, they're homeless because they don't have a job. Well, a lot of them don't have a job because of this reason or that reason. And it might not be a job. Some of them do have jobs, but they're not making enough to to afford rent.
SPEAKER_02:Well, you think about like if you have a job and say you've been there just for a few months, you don't have enough money squirreled away to pay the deposit. And then you've got a deposit on your rent, your deposit on all of some of your bills that you have to have in your home. And then it's really hard to get a job if you don't have an address. I think that's one of those stepping stones that a lot of people don't even realize. Oh, you're homeless, just get a job. Well, if you're homeless and you don't have an address, you can't get a job.
SPEAKER_03:No, mm-mm. Because they don't, guess what? They might not have a ID. Yeah. You know, they got it. Oh, yeah, yeah. So there's a lot of stuff um that a homeless person does have to go through to get back on their feet.
SPEAKER_01:Right.
SPEAKER_03:Um, but luckily, um, we got a great community that helps in those specific areas. Absolutely. United Way is also on the um re-entry council. Okay. So we're helping people coming out of incarceration. So a lot of people might not know, but we got like 200 people that come back to Onsell County every year from incarceration.
SPEAKER_02:I did not know that.
SPEAKER_03:Yeah. To me, it's a high number, but I guess we are kind of uh getting to be a big city now. Right, yeah.
SPEAKER_02:We'd like to think we aren't, but we are. Yeah. Yeah.
SPEAKER_03:Thinking of the numbers. Yeah. But um, to help those individuals, you know, we got um one of our local banks to go in and set up bank accounts for them. Oh nice. We got um jobs where they start working inside, get busted out to one of our chicken plants here. Oh, nice, making money because that's the biggest thing. If they don't have those down payments when they come out, they're right back where, you know, where they don't want to be, under a bridge. Then to them, they start thinking, well, it's easier if I just start making bad choices. Yes. It's just easier if I go back. Yeah.
SPEAKER_02:And that's you know, you that's just like a you're on that hamster wheel constantly until somebody decides to push the stop button and you go off.
SPEAKER_03:Yeah. So we're just trying to mitigate all their obstacles that they could have so that they can come out and have a fresh start.
SPEAKER_02:Now, those are all exciting programs because I can just see like you're continuing your ripple. It's like just different layers of this. So if somebody wants to give back this season, what are some ways that anybody that's listening to this podcast can give back to the United Way or be a part of any of these programs?
SPEAKER_03:Well, to me, I always say the greatest resource that someone could give is their time because that's one thing we wake up with every day, the same amount of time. Now, what you do with that time is entirely up to you. So to me, volunteering is probably the greatest gift a person can give. Um, is their time. And they could go to Volunteer Onslow. In Volunteer Onslow, we got 179 agencies that are looking for volunteers. And they could pick what they want to volunteer at. You know, um making bags for children could be one, but what if they love animals? Oh, they could volunteer at any of the organizations that help animals. You know, if they're specific on um elderly population, they're always needing help. So so they can really go in there and find what they're passionate about because everybody's got their passion. And to me, that's probably the greatest gift they could give is volunteering.
SPEAKER_02:Now, do you have some stories that I'm sure you do in like a little pocket somewhere ready to tell um about some volunteers that have kind of made an impact in our community with you guys?
SPEAKER_03:Oh my gosh. There's so many of them. I mean, we honor them every year. You know, we have a big celebration that Jones Onslow, EMC, is a huge sponsor on, but we've we recognize volunteers throughout the year. And um there's so many that's been giving their time for for probably decades. That's true, really decades. Um, and then we partner with the city for the Fabric of Our Community awards also. And they're once again, there's so many pillars in our community that are just standing out that I can name names and everybody like, oh yeah, I know that person. Oh, I know that person.
SPEAKER_02:And a lot of times you're the people that they don't want anyone to know.
SPEAKER_03:They don't want anybody to know. Yeah. So I tease one specifically. He he said happy birthday, because obviously it was the Marine Corps' birthday a couple days ago. And he's like, you know, I'm so proud of you. And I was like, Well, you know, I want to be just like you. I told you that when I was younger. When is it's Joe Hul. Oh, he's just the best. But um, yeah, I always tease him all the time. I'm gonna be just like you when I grow up. Yeah, well, you're well on your way. Oh, yeah.
SPEAKER_02:Really close to being right there like Joe Hul. Yeah, but just really incredible.
SPEAKER_03:There's so many people, there are so many Joe Huls in our community. And Colonel Kopka is another one that, you know, I just admire what they've doing, and and they've been doing it a long time. They have.
SPEAKER_02:And you can't be an any type of nonprofit and not know the two of them.
SPEAKER_03:And not know the two of them exactly.
SPEAKER_02:Well, United Way is an incredible organization, and we encourage anybody that's listening today to be a part of it, whether you're volunteering your time or maybe you don't feel like you have the time to carve out to volunteer, but you could certainly contribute in some way. We certainly encourage you to do that. So, how can they find you guys online?
SPEAKER_03:So they could go to uwonslow.org. And um, a lot of times if they don't have time to volunteer, of course, we'll take money.
SPEAKER_02:Oh, yeah. Nobody's gonna turn that away.
SPEAKER_03:Anybody wants to get money, they can, but they could donate right there online too. Um, and then obviously, just talent. People's got talent that we could use, you know. Prime example is our community garden and our community farm. We need people that are good at growing um crops, you know, um, board of directors. You know, there's a lot of nonprofits in our community that could use board of directors on it to help guide their their mission. So there's a lot of opportunities to give back to our community.
SPEAKER_02:Well, Raquel, thank you so much for being with us today. And we are honored to have you each and every time you come to Jones Anzo. Thank you. And kudos to everybody on your team because you guys are a very small office, but you make very big things happen in our community. And happy holidays. Thank you.
SPEAKER_01:All right, everyone. Natalie here to switch up our what's happening segment this month in honor of the season of giving. We are swapping out monthly updates with a special rapid fire interview with our very own lineman, Joe Zernheld. Joe has been selected to embark on a mission trip to Guatemala with other linemen from across the state, which will be organized by NRECA International. So let's jump right in. Hey Joe, how are ya?
SPEAKER_00:I'm good, how are you?
SPEAKER_01:I'm good. So, firstly, I want to ask you what inspired you to want to go on this trip to Guatemala.
SPEAKER_00:Well, seeing that they came out with the opportunity, I figured it'd be a great time to be able to take my skills and be able to help somebody who doesn't have power and be able to lighten their life up.
SPEAKER_01:And what are you most looking forward to going on this trip?
SPEAKER_00:Just being able to help people get power that never had it and be able to impact them for the rest of their life.
SPEAKER_01:Right. It's a little bit different than our experience here in Jacksonville where if something goes wrong and the power goes out, it's a quick fix, but to people in third world countries, it means a little bit more, doesn't it?
SPEAKER_00:It's gonna be a challenge, but it's also gonna be nice to be able to take that skill and be able to improvise and be able to impact them for the rest of their life.
SPEAKER_01:Absolutely. And what does it mean to you to have this opportunity to give back?
SPEAKER_00:It's a great opportunity to be able to help people and reach out to people who have never had power before and be able to give them that for the rest of their life to be able to have stuff they've never had before.
SPEAKER_01:Right. And not only are you working with other linemen from across the state, but also from across the country, correct? Yes. And are you excited to kind of connect with people in that way? I know sometimes when we have storms and we ask for external help or vice versa, it's nice to connect with other linemen across the state or across the country. So you'll have another opportunity to do that.
SPEAKER_00:It'll be good because when we do have storms here, it's another opportunity to connect with linemen from North Carolina to build that bond that we all share.
SPEAKER_01:Absolutely. Have some familiar faces in times of need. Well, that was our rapid fire segment, guys. Thank you so much for joining us. And thank you for joining us today, Joe. He leaves in April for about, is it two weeks?
SPEAKER_00:Two weeks.
SPEAKER_01:Two weeks, and hopefully we'll have the opportunity to touch base with him and hear about his experience. So thank you so much for joining us today, Joe.
SPEAKER_00:Thank you.
SPEAKER_01:Happy Thanksgiving, everyone. Well, folks, that's all for today's episode of Flippin' the Switch. Be sure to follow us on our social media platforms to stay in the loop with Joan Donzo. We'll see y'all next time.