Piedmont Macon gives award to ‘Community Hero’

"We didn't know how to do it or how to start. We didn't have any money, but really God has provided the rest".

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT)- Piedmont Macon awarded a community hero, who is making a difference in the community.

Fourteen years ago, Brenda Lambert launched the Backpack Ministry in Macon, providing food on the weekends to nine needy students at Lane Elementary School.

Today, the program has grown exponentially with as many as 400 volunteers now helping 3,000 students in Bibb, Monroe, and Twiggs Counties each week.  

“I said this has been on my heart that there are hungry children in Macon, Georiga, and the five couples said let’s do it”, said Lambert.

She says it all stared from a feeling to provide a better living for children.

“We didn’t know how to do it or how to start. We didn’t have any money, but really God has provided the rest”, she said.

Lambert says the last thing a child needs to worry about is going hungry.

“We don’t know what the circumstances of these children are, and we don’t ask. We just know that their teacher or school counselor says they’re hungry when they come back to school Monday“, said Lambert.

The backpack Ministry was awarded a $500 check, which Lambert says will be put to great use.

“All the money goes to buy food for the children. We buy all our food from the Middle Georgia Community Food Bank. Without them, we could not afford to feed these many children. So were grateful to them”, she said. 

CEO of Piedmont Macon, Steve Daugherty, says Lambert has earned this award because of her selflessness

“She also exemplifies teamwork and ownership of the community. So, all those things, and we talk to people that know Brenda and your around her, it was not a hard decision”, said Daugherty.

The Piedmont Macon Community Hero Award is presented quarterly. Lambert is the sixth recipient of the award.