Cindy Hilbrich is not your typical REALTOR®. While she excels in her career, helping clients find their dream homes, she also dedicates her time and energy to making a difference in the community through her involvement with Manna Ministries. As the secretary of this remarkable organization, Cindy plays a crucial role in its mission of serving the community. As she says, “God is in charge and we are following His plans.”

 

“Manna Ministries is a nonprofit organization and we distribute food to people who are going through hard times and food insecurities,” she comments. “We’re open every weekend except major holidays.” They are eager to help the hurting and those who don’t have enough money to provide food for their families. Recently, they reached their new record of 672 families served on a Saturday morning, which was a memorable milestone.

What sets Manna Ministries apart is its unique approach to helping those in need. Unlike many other organizations, Manna Ministries does not have any qualifications or restrictions for individuals to receive food assistance, nor do they charge for the food they distribute. With zero paid staff, the organization relies solely on donations and the generosity of volunteers.

 

“Manna Ministries came into being over 35 years ago when someone would hand out food from the trunk of his car,” explains Cindy. Since then, it has grown significantly, and today Manna serves around 28,000 people annually. In January alone, the organization distributed a staggering 125,000 pounds of food. The impact they have made is remarkable, filling a tangible need in the community.

 

“We’re really blessed,” says Cindy. “We are lucky that we have the donations that we do. It really takes a village. I’ve been there 6 years and we have grown and remodeled our facility.” They have responded to the needs of the community, eager to help people with their food insecurity.

 

Cindy has been a dedicated volunteer at Manna Ministries, committing long hours every week to ensure that those in need have access to food. On Fridays, Manna receives trucks from the Community Food Bank in Birmingham. She spends six to eight, and sometimes nine, hours preparing for the distribution by unloading and organizing pallets. The trucks can have anywhere from three to eight pallets on them. On Saturdays, she devotes another six hours to the cause. Despite the hard work and the numerous tasks that need to be done, Cindy remains passionate and committed to the mission of Manna Ministries.

 

Cindy's journey with Manna Ministries started when she changed careers from a college basketball coach to REALTOR®. She expressed her desire to give back during a dinner conversation with friends. One friend suggested visiting Manna Ministries, and Cindy decided to check it out one Saturday morning. That visit turned into a life-changing experience. “I’ve been hooked ever since,” she smiles.

 

In recent years, Manna Ministries faced new challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic. They had to pivot and find innovative ways to continue their mission while ensuring the safety of volunteers and recipients. Previously, people would come inside and choose their food. Since the pandemic, Cindy and her team make boxes of food and load them into each vehicle that drives through. Despite the challenges, Manna Ministries persevered, providing essential support to the community during a time of great need.

 

Each distribution day is a testament to the dedication and hard work of Cindy and the volunteers at Manna Ministries. They handle a wide range of food items, including fresh produce, frozen meats, dairy products, bread, canned goods, extras (granola bars, popcorn, and fruit snacks), and more. In addition to food donations, they also accept monetary contributions, which help fund building expansions, utilities, and other necessities.

 

“We also have Manna Farms on our property,” explains Cindy. “We grow onions, squash, zucchini, and more. We harvest the produce and then hand it out to our clients.”

 

In addition to the trucks received on Fridays, volunteers pick up food from local stores to meet the demand of the community, including Walmart, Aldi, and Publix. “We even get Crumbl Cookies on Saturday mornings,” says Cindy. 

When Cindy isn’t serving others at Manna Ministries, you can find her serving her clients in real estate with Championship Realty Group at Keller Williams Hoover. Although real estate wasn’t the initial plan, she found a new purpose to her life when she listened to God.

 

“I used to be a college basketball coach,” she comments. She worked for 12 years as a college basketball coach, including five years at the University of Montevallo, and two years as a high school basketball coach. 

 

“God had a different plan for my life.” She got her real estate license in November 2017. “That was the same month I started volunteering in Manna,” she comments. Her first year, she sold 36 properties and has continued to grow each year.

 

Cindy is a solo agent with an executive assistant and a showing assistant. Real estate fits her desire for her career goals. “I wanted something with flexibility and the chance to achieve financial freedom,” she comments. Real estate has given her a solid financial future and best of all, she knows that she is doing what God wants her to do with her life.

 

People pointed her to real estate, especially with more work-life flexibility for her career. “I also wanted to be able to help people,” she comments. Prior to real estate, she worked in landscaping for a summer right after getting out of coaching, joking, “It was refreshing that sod did not yell back at you! It helped me to clear my mind and pray about what to do next. God led me to real estate and I’ve been blessed. I’ve been able to help so many people!”

 

Beyond her professional life, Cindy enjoys spending time outdoors, whether it's at the beach, the lake, or simply enjoying the beauty of nature. Family is also an essential part of her life, and she cherishes the time spent with her four nieces. Cindy is actively involved in her church community at Church of the Highlands, where she serves on the Information and Development teams.

Cindy Hilbrich is more than just a REALTOR®. She says, “God is using me as His ambassador to lead people to Him.” She uses her skills, time, and resources to make a positive impact in the lives of those less fortunate through her involvement with Manna Ministries. Her dedication, generosity, and unwavering commitment to serving others exemplify the true spirit of compassion and community. She concludes, “I’m just His servant.”