Fuller recognized in “Pay it Forward” program
PROTECTED CONTENT
If you’re a current subscriber, log in below. If you would like to subscribe, please click the subscribe tab above.
Username and Password Help
Please enter your email and we will send you a password reset link.
Tina Fuller, right, is awarded a $333 payment from Vance Law Firm, who partners with WAKA Channel 8 to recognize individuals with its “Pay it Forward” program. Photo submitted
Tina Fuller is presented a large check as she is awarded for being nominated in the “Pay it Forward” program by WAKA Channel 8 and Vance Law Firm. Fuller is pictured with Stewart Vance from The Vance Law Firm; Sandy Goggans who nominated her; husband, Dr. Jeff Fuller; and members of Rockford Baptist Church. Photo submitted
Special to the News
On May 1 WAKA Channel 8 from Montgomery, along with Stewart Vance from the Vance Law Firm, paid a surprise visit to Rockford to recognize one of the town’s citizens who was nominated to their “Pay it Forward” program.
This program acknowledges people who are nominated by others to receive the award and a cash payment of $333 for their efforts to support and improve their communities.
Sandy Goggans of Rockford nominated Tina Fuller for this recognition for her leadership with the Manna Ministries Food Program that she established under the umbrella of Rockford Baptist Church.
Goggans explained that this program is helping so many families in the Coosa County area who are falling through the cracks during the economic downturn currently being experienced. With the reductions in benefits that had increased during the COVID-19 outbreak and the increase in the cost of groceries, families are now finding it difficult to make ends meet.
This is where Manna Ministries steps in with the help of the Heart of Alabama Food Bank. Fuller and a crew of volunteers are able to obtain food at minimal or no cost that they then bring back to Rockford and host food drops at least once each month at Rockford Baptist Church at no cost to the participants.
Families can sign up for the program with minimal information required, and they are notified each time food is available to be given out.
Emergency needs are also offered Monday through Wednesday each week by appointment only for families in emergency situations like a house fire, illness, or taking in other family members suddenly. Neither of the programs are meant to provide long-term food needs, but can help stretch the resources available for the families.
Manna Ministries is not a government-supported program, but is managed by donations from the food bank and other businesses and individuals. Some of this food also helps Rockford Baptist Church provide a monthly Community Dinner on the second Tuesday of every month, and it is open to the public of Coosa County. The dinner provides an opportunity for neighbors to meet neighbors while enjoying a free meal.
The Heart of Alabama Food Bank also awarded a grant to Manna Ministries last year to help with the purchase of commercial refrigerators and freezers for frozen and cold items, as well as commercial shelving to hold canned goods and dry goods. Depending on the availability, the food bank also occasionally is able to provide fresh fruits and vegetables for Manna Ministries to pass on to their neighbors.
Fuller had been told WAKA was coming to interview her husband, Pastor Jeff Fuller, on the Bible Study Program he hosts for Samford University in Rockford. However, when Vance and the cameras came in the church, she was called to come out and was shocked to find that this was all about her.
However, as she said, it is not about her; it is about God and what He has led her and her volunteers to do.
To everyone’s surprise, Fuller immediately said, “What we need is a truck to pull a large trailer outfitted for disaster relief so [she] can develop a program to go directly to the people in the case of another tornado or storm coming through our area – don’t you know someone who could help us with that?”
We want to thank Sandy Goggans, Stewart Vance and the people from WAKA Channel 8 for their generosity and for choosing Tina Fuller for this award. A video clip of this event is available on the Channel 8 website since it aired Tuesday, May 7.
For more information about Manna Ministries or for assistance, donations, or to volunteer, contact Rockford Baptist Church Mondays through Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 256-377-4900.
