WHEN MONIKA Price retired from Framatome, she thought her life would slow down. She admitted she quickly became a “couch potato,” watching a Lifetime series on TV. A significant change came to her one day — it was a calling she couldn’t ignore.
“I was sitting on my sofa,” Price recalled, “and I heard God say, ‘Serve me.’ That’s how it got going.”
Price said she wasn’t sure where or how God wanted her to serve, so she went to Senior Pastor Mike Dodson at Tree of Life Ministries, where she and her family attended. Price thought she would serve at the church’s Greenview Drive main campus, but she added that every time she drove there, she ended up at the church’s Midtown campus on 12th Street instead. That’s where Price has served the call from God for over 20 years.
Price pointed out that she volunteered first with the ministry’s food bank. After two years, Price noticed a pile of boxes stacked in a loft area above the Midtown location’s worship center. The loft, Price said, was a mess. Countless boxes of clothes stood neck high. It took Price eight months just to go through and sort what was in place and begin to organize it into the distribution center that stands today.
While Price started providing clothing for free to neighbors who stopped by the church, she quickly realized people needed more than clothes. Price found that several other churches and ministries also gave away or sold clothes for low cost in Lynchburg. Price knew she needed to do more and do it all for free. That driving thought of meeting more than people’s clothing needs turned Price into what she described as “the best beggar in town.”
Price visited consignment shops, other churches, and even a few retail stores looking to add other items to her giveaways, such as housewares, hygiene products for men and women, and toys. Price said that the JCPenney department store and two local consignment shops, Lulu’s Closet Consignment & Boutique in Forest and Nice as New on Linkhorne Drive, were the first to step up and donate clothes and other items to Tree of Life.
As she talked to more and more of her clients, Price realized she needed to add more items, including jewelry and men’s socks. Her daughter, Bianca Allison, and Allison’s husband took on the task of gathering the two items. The two women also put together hygiene bags to give to clients, some of whom were without housing or access to what most of us find in our medicine cabinets. Some items are not available through donations, so Price also scours yard sales, flea markets, and some local dollar-type stores and purchases small items that she knows her clients need.
Price said she learned a couple of realizations when she began volunteering.
Her pastor’s wife told Price, “People don’t need a ‘let me feel good.’ These people need someone [volunteering] who is going to stay with them, listen to them, and not enable them.”
Price took the advice to heart.
“If they want to talk, I’ll listen,” she said.
Price emphasized that all items available during the Tuesday food and clothing distribution day at Tree of Life Midtown are free. Allison often spends time helping her mom and said that customers are so impressed with the respect Price shows everyone — with zero judgment.
Customers told Allison, “We love your momma!”
She added, “It’s a big deal to them.”
Over the years, Price has seen many volunteers come and go at Midtown. Of course, many people from her church help out when they can. But Price said it has been challenging to find volunteers who are committed to the work for the long haul. Price works at the church five days a week. One or two other consistent volunteers, along with her family, take up the bulk of the rest of the work. Once Tuesday’s distributions are done — and most weeks, the loft rooms are completely cleared out — Price said it takes a full week to restock everything.
Price is approaching her 80th birthday this fall, but she promised she’s not done yet. Her family is concerned about her safety, especially on the days when Price works alone. She offered some reassuring words.
“This is not a job. It’s a mission. When I become afraid, I’ll stop. I’m not afraid.”
Price pointed up to heaven and said “My boss is Him.” GN
