What if you could impact a few lives while eating lunch? What if you could change the trajectory of the lives of some deserving women and children over coffee and dessert? In fact, you could make a major difference right here in Williamson County simply by attending the 2025 Lunch That Matters charitable luncheon benefiting nonprofits serving and positively impacting the lives of local women and children. This year’s annual Lunch That Matters, hosted by Women of Williamson (WOW) will be held on Tuesday, November 18th at the Hilton Franklin Cool Springs.
Lunch That Matters provides locally based charities with an opportunity and platform to introduce themselves to the public and showcase the important work they do in the lives of women and children here in the community. Charities serving women and children are chosen by WOW based on criteria, such as their scope of service and the positive impact that have on women and families in Williamson County. The free-to-attend fundraiser allows the selected charities to share their missions, stories and challenges with luncheon attendees who will then be given the opportunity to donate and support the charities of their choice. The luncheon also features an inspirational speaker who also serves as the program’s emcee.
Though residents of Williamson County generally enjoy the perks of a higher median household income, property values and quality of life, the area’s rapid-fire growth has brought various challenges ranging from a lack of affordable housing and childcare services to increasing health disparities. The county’s status as the wealthiest in the state belies the gap in some services and the inability of agencies and nonprofits to keep up with demand and need, exacerbating issues, such as a lack of employment opportunities, domestic violence, mental health crises, substance abuse and addiction, a need for more essential early learning and youth after-school programs and support for single parents struggling to put food on the table.
Over the years, WOW’s Lunch That Matters has contributed to and supported numerous area nonprofits, including Bridges Domestic Violence Center (WOW’s legacy charity), GraceWorks, Tucker’s House, Daughters of the King, Freedom Reigns, Healing Housing, The Refuge Center for Counseling, High Hopes, OakCottage for Women, Jumbled Dreams Changing Lives and scholarships for women through Columbia State, among others.
Anita Pringle, Clinical Director/Staff Therapist for the Refuge Center for Counseling, had this to say about their organization’s participation in last year’s Lunch That Matters, “We have utilized the gifts from last year’s luncheon to provide Wounded Hearts Groups for women who have suffered childhood sexual abuse. Most importantly, we were able to provide this service to these women free of charge due to your generosity.”
“We are extremely grateful for every penny we receive to cover transportation and counseling services for the women we serve to be able to go to work. The contributions Oak Cottage for Women received from last year’s Lunch That Matters have made all the difference in our ability to support the needs of these deserving women this year,” said Judy Felts, Founder and Executive Director of Oak Cottage for Women, a safe residential program for women transitioning from incarceration to responsible citizenship.
WOW’s Lunch That Matters is a great way to kick off a season of giving, hear some compelling, life-changing stories, enjoy a great lunch, and most importantly, make a significant difference.
Add sidebar to article here: This year’s Lunch That Matters will run from 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM on November 18th with doors opening at 11:00.
Anyone interested in attending this year’s Lunch That Matters can go to www.womenofwilliamson.org for more information and to reserve a seat or a table