At Southern Arkansas University Tech (SAU Tech), we believe in shining a light on those who make a difference behind the scenes -- the unsung heroes of our community. These individuals dedicate their time, energy, and compassion to uplifting others without seeking recognition. The Betty J. Lewis Memorial Scholarship was created to honor such individuals, recognizing selfless service, quiet leadership, and unwavering dedication to education and community.

What is an Unsung Hero?

An unsung hero is someone who makes powerful contributions to the lives of others without expecting praise. They lead with humility, serve with heart, and make a lasting impact through dedication and compassion. At SAU Tech, this spirit is embodied in the legacy of Betty J. Lewis, whose life and work continue to inspire generations.

The Betty J. Lewis Memorial Scholarship is awarded to an individual who demonstrates:

• Selfless Service: A commitment to helping others and actively engaging with the community.

• Leadership Without the Spotlight: A person who inspires and leads by example, not for recognition, but because it's the right thing to do.

Each month, the SAU Tech Scholarship committee carefully reviews nominations and selects one individual who best represents these values.

November's unsung hero

At Southern Arkansas University Tech, we are proud to recognize individuals whose compassion, dedication, and commitment to helping others make a meaningful difference in communities throughout South Arkansas. This November, we are honored to celebrate a woman whose faith, leadership, and passion for helping others have made a meaningful difference in the lives of individuals and families throughout Camden and beyond.

Guided by her faith and inspired by the teachings of Jesus Christ, Mrs. LaShell Hicks has dedicated herself to meeting the needs of others through acts of kindness, compassion, and service. Her commitment to feeding the hungry, uplifting families, and restoring dignity to those facing difficult circumstances reflects the true meaning of leadership.

As Matthew 25:35 (KJV) reminds us:

"For I was hungered, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in."

Mrs. Hicks does not serve for recognition or applause. Instead, her actions speak for themselves. Through her vision and dedication, she has created a ministry that provides more than a meal — it provides hope, encouragement, dignity, and an opportunity for individuals to experience the love of Christ.

A Heart for Children and the Community

For Mrs. Hicks, serving others begins with recognizing the needs within her community, particularly the needs of children and families.

She has a deep passion for the physical emotional, and spiritual well-being of children and understands that access to nutritious meals can make a significant difference in their lives. Her concern for individuals and families struggling to makes ends meet inspired a longtime dream of establishing a soup kitchen where people could receive a hot, nutritious meal without judgement or barriers.

Through prayer, faith, and determination, Mrs. Hicks and her husband, Reverend Laverne Hicks II, worked toward making that dream a reality. Their journey led them to acquire the property located at 456 Cleveland Avenue in Camden, Arkansas, which would eventually become the home of Feed My Sheep Soup Kitchen.

Transforming the property into a facility suitable for food preparation and service was no small undertaking. The building required extensive renovations and improvements to meet the necessary codes and food-service requirements. Rather than allowing the challenges to discourage her, Mrs. Hicks remained steadfast in her vision.

It took approximately two years to secure the building, equipment, and resources needed to open the facility. During that time, she remained committed to ensuring that the kitchen would provide a safe welcoming, and quality environment for everyone it served.

Her preparation extended beyond the physical facility. Understanding the importance of food safety, Mrs. Hicks completed her ServSafe certification, along with other food handlers who assist with the ministry. She takes great care to ensure that proper food preparation, handling, and safety procedures are followed.

Her attention to detail reflects her belief that serving others should always be done with excellence, responsibility, and love.

Feed My Sheep Soup Kitchen: A Vision Becomes Reality

After months of fasting, prayer, planning, preparation, and hard work, Feed My Sheep Soup Kitchen officially opened its doors on October 29, 2024, at 3:00p.m.

What began as a vision rooted in faith has grown into an important resource for individuals and families throughout the Camden community.

Although the first day brought a modest response, work quickly spread that a new community resource was available to help those in need. As more people learned about the ministry, the number of individuals and families receiving meals continued to grow.

One of the guiding principles of Feed My Sheep is that no one should be made to feel unworthy of receiving help. There are no income guidelines required to receive a meal. The kitchen is designed to assist individuals and families experiencing financial hardship, particularly those who may have limited or no income and need additional support.

For Mrs. Hicks, the purpose is not simply to provide food. It is to make sure that people who are struggling have a place where they can receive help without embarrassment, judgement, or unnecessary obstacles.

Serving with Dignity, compassion, and Respect

One of the most meaningful aspects of Mrs. Hicks' leadership is her commitment to ensuring that every person who enters Feed My Sheep Soup Kitchen is treated with dignity.

Her instructions to those who serve alongside her are clear: No one is to be treated rudely, embarrassed, belittled, or made to feel insignificant.

She believes every individual deserves kindness, respect, and compassion, regardless of their circumstances.

This philosophy is at the heart of the ministry. Mrs. Hicks understands that people who seek assistance may already be facing difficult situations, and the last thing they need is to feel ashamed for asking for help.

Her vision is to create an environment where people feel welcomed, valued, and cared for. Through her leadership, Feed My Sheep has become more than a place to receive food. It is a place where individuals can experience genuine compassion and the reassurance that their lives matter.

Meeting a Critical Need in Camden

Feed My Sheep Soup Kitchen operates every Tuesday and Thursday from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. These hours were intentionally selected to accommodate children getting out of school who may nee a nutritious meal before returning home for the evening.

Mrs. Hicks places considerable thought into the meals served, making nutrition and quality important priorities. Whenever possible, fresh fruits and vegetables are incorporated into meal planning. Meals are prepared with attention to lower sugar and lower sodium options while maintaining nutritional balance, flavor, and quality.

Today, Feed My Sheep Soup Kitchen serves more than 200 people every Tuesday and Thursday.

However, Mrs. Hicks' commitment does not end when the doors close.

Recognizing that some individuals, particularly children and those without reliable transportation, may be unable to travel to the facility, she personally delivers meals to people she knows are in need. On some occasions, she delivers as many as 70 additional meals after the kitchen has finished serving those who come in perosn.

This personal commitment demonstrates the extraordinary lengths she is willing to go to ensure that individuals who need assistance are not overlooked simply because they cannot get to the kitchen.

Her service reflects a simple but powerful belief: If someone needs a meal, every effort should be made to get one to them.

More Than a Meal: Feeding the Body and Encouraging the Spirit

The ministry of Feed My Sheep extends far beyond physical nourishment.

Mrs. Hicks recognizes that people need more than food. They also need encouragement, compassion, someone willing to listen, and sometimes a reminder that they are not alone.

She is often found engaging with individuals who visit the kitchen, listening to their concerns, offering words of encouragement, and praying with those who desire prayer.

Her approach to service reflects her understanding that every person has a story and that a simple act of kindness can make a lasting difference in someone's life.

Feed My Sheep operates through the dedication volunteers, generous donations, and countless hours of hard work. Mrs. Hicks and her family serve as the sole owners and operators of the soup kitchen, demonstrating a remarkable commitment to sustaining the ministry and meeting the needs of the community.

Their willingness to invest their time, energy, and resources is a testament to the power of family, faith, and shared purpose.

A Life Rooted in Faith and Family

Behind Mrs. Hick's dedication to the community is a strong foundation of faith and family.

She is a devoted wife to Reverend Laverne Hicks II, a loving mother of five sons, and a proud grandmother of seven grandchildren. Together, she and her husband share a commitment to ministry and services, particularly in the communities of Camden and Hope, Arkansas, where Reverend Hicks pastors.

Her faith serves as the foundation for her approach to life and leadership. She believes that serving others is not simply something we do when it is convenient, but a responsibility that calls us to recognize and respond to the needs around us.

Her philosophy of service is beautifully reflected in Matthew 6:4b (KJV):

"And thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly."

Mrs. Hicks does not seek recognition for the work she does. Her motivation comes from her relationship with God and her sincere desire to make a difference in the lives of others.

Whether preparing meals, delivering food, encouraging someone who is struggling, or offering a prayer, she approaches every opportunity to serve as an expression of her faith.

A Legacy of compassion and Community Impact

Mrs. LaShell Hicks' commitment to serving others is becoming increasingly recognized throughout Camden and the surrounding communities. Yet, for her, the greatest reward is knowing that someone who needed help received a meal, a kind word, or an opportunity to feel cared for.

Through Feed My Sheep Soup Kitchen, she has transformed a personal dream into a ministry that addresses a critical community need.

Her work demonstrates that meaningful community leadership does not always happen from a boardroom, a public platform, or a position of authority. Sometimes, it happens in a kitchen, through the preparation of a meal, the delivery of food to someone's doorstep, or a conversation that reminds another person they are valued.

Her dedication is a powerful example of how faith can be put into action and how one person's vision, supported by family and community, can positively impact hundreds of lines.

As long as food is available, Feed My Sheep soup Kitchen strives to ensure that no one in need is turned away.

Celebrating November's Unsung Hero

Mrs. LaShell Hicks' story is one of faith, perseverance, compassion, and unwavering commitment to serving others. Through her vision and leadership in establishing Feed My Sheep Soup Kitchen, she has created more than a place where people can receive food. She has created a ministry where individuals and families are welcomed with dignity, encouraged with kindness, and reminded that they are not forgotten.

Her work embodies the spirit of Matthew 25:345—not simply by speaking about compassion, but by putting it into action every Tuesday and Thursday and throughout the moments in between.

Whether feeding children, supporting families, delivering meals to individuals without transportation, or offering encouragement and prayer to those facing difficult circumstances, Mrs. Hicks continues to demonstrate the transformative power of selfless service.

Southern Arkansas University Tech proudly recognizes Mrs. LaShell Hicks as our November Unsung Hero—a devoted leader, woman of faith, community advocate, and compassionate humanitarian whose commitment to feeding the hungry and uplifting others is making a lasting difference throughout South Arkasnas.

Through Feed My Sheep Soup Kitchen, she reminds us that sometimes the greatest expressions of love are found in the simplest acts of kindness: one meal, one person, and one act of service at a time.