Today we’d like to introduce you to Nathan Dowd.
Hi Nathan, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
The Father’s Heart began in 2008, right around Thanksgiving. What started as a small outreach with just 27 families quickly became something much bigger. We partnered with several local churches in Jacksonville to share meals and hope with our neighbors.
At the time, I was a junior high school teacher, and every day I saw students come to class not knowing what—or if—they would eat over the weekend. That reality stayed with me. I couldn’t ignore it, and I realized I could do something, even if it was just helping one family at a time.
Over the years, we built a strong partnership with the school system where I taught, identifying families who needed support and finding ways to meet those needs. What began as a one-time holiday outreach grew into a monthly program that now serves, on average, 150 families each month—about 7,000 meals.
Since 2009, The Father’s Heart has provided over one million meals to families across our community, with a team of volunteers filling roles from outreach to marketing to fundraising.. What started as a small act of compassion has become a movement of love and service that continues to grow throughout Jacksonville.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
In the beginning, things felt surprisingly smooth—but like most meaningful projects, the real challenges revealed themselves over time. My wife and I were the main source of funding in those early days, and eventually, the need began to outgrow what we could personally support.
In 2015, we decided to get creative and started making and selling BBQ as our main fundraiser. It turned out to be such a blessing—not just financially, but as a fun, practical way to connect with our community. That’s actually where our tagline came from: “Feed yourself to feed someone else.” Every plate of BBQ sold helps provide meals for families in need, and that simple idea has resonated deeply with people.
Beyond fundraising, we’ve faced other challenges too—like recruiting volunteers, finding storage and operating space, and learning to manage growth while balancing need and budget. The whole process really stretched me, especially on the management side, which was completely outside my comfort zone. But each obstacle has taught us something valuable and reminded us that when you step out in faith, the right people and resources have a way of showing up at just the right time.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
As the CEO and founder of The Father’s Heart, my goal has always been to create opportunities for people to experience unconditional compassion and grace while fighting food insecurity in our community. Our mission comes to life through a very simple act—delivering food directly to families in need. That’s our main focus and the heartbeat of everything we do.
I often remind our volunteers that “people don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.” The unspoken goal behind every delivery is to make compassion visible—to let each family know they are seen, heard, and valued.
One of the things I’m most proud of is hearing the stories from families who share how much this outreach has impacted their lives. Those moments—when a parent tells us they didn’t have to worry about feeding their children that week, or when a student smiles because there’s food on the table—those are what keep us going.
In 2025, we were honored to be named Non-Profit of the Year by the Clay County Chamber of Commerce. It was especially meaningful because it came from our peers; we couldn’t nominate ourselves. It was a humbling reminder that the heart behind our work truly resonates within the community.
What really sets The Father’s Heart apart is our focus on personal conne
We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
Something most people don’t know about me is that I was a double major in psychology and religion at Charleston Southern University. Looking back, I can see how both areas of study prepared me for the work I do now. Psychology helped me understand people and the challenges they face, while religion gave me a foundation of faith and compassion to serve others.
At the time, I had no idea those two paths would one day come together in something like The Father’s Heart—but they’ve shaped the way I lead, listen, and love people through this mission.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Thefathersheart.us
