Rockford Woman Selflessly Dedicates Her Time Between Two Organizations To Help Others

Here is another example of putting others first. This week's Hometown Hero in that the nomination comes from an Executive Director of a nonprofit organization in Rockford.

Barbara Manning has solidified her place as a Q98.5 Hometown Hero and as you will learn, she is more than deserving of this recognition.

Rock River Valley Pantry Executive Director, Kim Adams-Bakke personally nominated Barbara for her dedication to the pantry but also her extraordinary efforts for the Alzheimer's Association.

Barbara Manning splits her time between two organizations that assist people in our community, including a 20-year volunteer commitment for the Alzheimer's Association.

Currently, her self-initiated project is to oversee the development of a program manual for the caregivers of people with Alzheimer's. The program and manual will be a huge help for family members that are taking care, 24/7, of a spouse, family member, or friend with Alzheimer's. At this time the national organization has not developed a program to help the caregivers, which are in need of tremendous support.

Since 2016 Barb has been volunteering at the Rock River Valley Pantry twice a week, for eight hours each day. She commits her mornings to warehouse activities in order for the Pantry to be ready to distribute food in the afternoons. In the afternoons she is hands-on with the distribution of the food that is given to the households that need assistance.

But Barb doesn’t stop there! She collects gently used suitcases with wheels from garage sales and local thrift stores and keeps them on hand for people who walk to the Pantry and struggle to carry home the food that they are given.

On weekends Barb, and yes, she does rope her husband into her efforts, can be found maintaining the grounds that surround the Pantry building. She makes sure that the people who need food have a beautiful place to come to for help.

Please recognize Barb Manning for ALL that she does to make our community a better place to live.

Wow! What a woman we've been introduced to. We're honored to be able to make Barbara Manning a Q98.5 Hometown Hero.

As a Q98.5 Hometown Hero, Barbara will receive a $100 Amazon gift card thanks to Gustafson's Furniture & Mattress.

You can nominate your Hometown Hero HERE.