Off The Road: With Joel
Get to know Joel Simonson, Lovin’ Spoonfuls’ Development Officer.
How long have you been in your current role?
I have been in my current role for almost a year and a half, but I’m about to celebrate five years at Lovin’ Spoonfuls.
What do you do in your job? How does it help Lovin’ Spoonfuls?
In my role, I focus on individual giving and donor stewardship, but I also support our fundraising events and peer-to-peer campaigns, all of which help raise significant dollars for Lovin’ Spoonfuls’ annual budget, engage more people in our mission, and raise awareness about our work.
What’s the most gratifying part of your job?
The most gratifying part of my job is working with people towards shared goals, both with people in the community and members of our team!
Tell us about one partner you met this year – vendor or non-profit – that inspired you. How come?
Over the past year, I have connected with nonprofit partners who I used to work with weekly as a Food Rescue Coordinator, just to catch up and check-in with one another. I was so totally inspired, and continue to be inspired, by everyone’s commitment to their clients, our neighbors, during this unprecedented time even as their own personal lives have been impacted.
If you weren’t a Development Officer, what would you be doing instead?
This is a good question – perhaps I would be working in a healthcare setting. In college, I studied Biology and Public Health and I thought about becoming a doctor or physician assistant before changing paths.
What’s your favorite way to lower your own food waste?
Meal prep!
Tell us one little-known fact about you.
I made All-State in tennis my senior year of high school!