Storm Hero: Momma Melba Making Meals For Victims

One of biggest needs after the storms hit, were hot meals.  Thousands of victims were left without food, or even a kitchen to cook in.  That's when Melba Spruell stepped up at Cherokee Baptist Church.

The night of April 27th, without power in her own home, she began clearing out her pantry.  Ever since then, for nearly 3 months now, she has been busy in church kitchen, cooking meal after meal.

Known as Momma Melba, she started cooking for storm victims immediately after the tornadoes hit.  "We came in and fixed soup and had to do it on the porch because we had no way of seeing it was so dark."

For the next month, Melba was up before dawn for her job, driving a school bus in Whitfield County.  But as soon as she got back every morning, she'd be right back in the church kitchen, doing what she knows to do.  "I guess I'm geared to think about food, food and something to drink to keep their strength up."

So she kept filling her pots, mixing up what she could find, or what was donated, so that every day the long lines of hungry victims would be fed.  Always with just one worry while she cooked.  "I hope I have enough, that's always my thought because I don't matter if I'm fixing for 10 or 600 I just don't want to run out of food."

She started making meals when she was just 10 years old, and according to some, has the best beef stew around.  No matter how many people show up, she makes sure they all leave full.  "We laugh and say I don't know how to cook for 2 people, I have to cook for at least 10 to start out with."

Or 600, which was the normal number at first, victims, volunteers, anyone needing the comfort of a hot meal.  "That's what I know to do, that's how I can help and give back, because we take so many things for granted, so many."

Melba's sincere sacrifice has been noticed by many, like Kami Fisher.  "Melba is a tremendous blessing to everyone she knows and everyone she meets, she has single handedly fed 200 people a day every day since April 28th."

And all those who don't know how they would have eaten, if not for Momma Melba.  "She just will do anything for anyone, she really exemplifies what we all need to be."

Melba tells us two members of that church died in the storms.  She says they are now getting many food donations from other churches across the area.

NewsChannel 9 continues to look for storm heroes.  If you'd like to nominate someone you know who was a hero after the April 27th tornadoes, e-mail us at stormheroes@newschannel9.com.  Please be sure to include your contact information.