Shirley Stallworth, better known as Miss Shirley, recently resigned her role as manager of the Morgan’s Chapel Food Ministry after 12 years. She has been involved since the very beginning when Rev. Dick Brooks was pastor at Morgan’s Chapel. Originally it was distribution of bread only and called the Bread Ministry. Under Pastor Brooks leadership and great volunteers such as Miss Shirley and her late husband Tommy, it soon evolved into a full -fledged distribution of groceries every Wednesday.
Miss Shirley has been a working volunteer- manager. She was willing to do whatever was needed for the success of the food ministry. She has trained volunteers, worked to establish policies, and to adapt the ministry to changing needs and circumstances. As of this week, a total of 106 families received a full box of groceries to help relieve their food needs. Many others, including Katie Aiken, have been and continue to be loyal volunteers. Approximately 25 volunteers serve each Wednesday and several others pick up donations six times weekly.
Katie Aiken said, “Shirley was always at the church on Wednesday and Monday and usually one other day during the week. She monitored and replenished all supplies. Her careful stewardship of funds, donated or allocated by the church, has been key to the ministry’s success. Above all, she has prayed daily for the food ministry. Many times, she has prayed specifically for something we were running short on only to have the very thing turn up in one of our six weekly donation pickups. Pray and work. That has been Shirley’s modus operandi!”
While battling various health issues, Miss Shirley has continued to serve faithfully in her capacity as a volunteer servant. During the past dozen years, she has established a great rapport with The Christian Service Center, grocery store managers, farmers’ market owners and anyone else that may be a prospect for donating to the great cause of combatting hunger in Bon Secour.
She initiated the idea of providing Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners to the food clients. These special dinners cost approximately $100 for the two meals. Each family receives a turkey on Thanksgiving with items for side dishes. It is repeated again at Christmas with a ham instead of turkey. She has already made plans for the 2024 holiday meals. The total estimated cost will be over $10,000. The church underwrites these costs through donations. The 2024 campaign to raise funds will begin October 1. Church members, community members and civic clubs will be invited to contribute to this important outreach.
Morgan’s Chapel says, “Thank you Miss Shirley for following Jesus’ command to feed my flock”.
If you want to support this Holiday Dinner Campaign, checks made to Morgan’s Chapel,earmarked “Holiday Dinners” will be appreciated. Perhaps you would like to donate in “Honor of Miss Shirley”. Checks may be mailed to P.O.Box 88, Bon Secour, Al 36511
written by: Mable Anderson 9/23/2024