Barb Bridgeman has been recognized for her efforts for helping those in need. 

And she has been doing it despite dealing with struggles of her own. 

Bridgeman not only runs the free food pantry at Clearwater's Central Christian Church, but she created it. 

A makeshift supermarket, the pantry is available for the homeless or anyone dealing with financial struggles. The remains the mission six years when Bridgeman began the pantry. 

The pantry is set up like a store. 

At 8 a.m., numbers are handed out. At 10, the doors are opened and numbers are called. The first ten number holders are allowed in to shop for what they need. 

Bridgeman calls the program, which provides vegetables, canned goods and even meat "Feeding Our Neighbors."

Open on the fourth Saturday each month, the pantry serves anyone in need at no cost. 

And Bridgeman said she knows how that feels.

"I worked all my life," Bridgeman said. "Until I got sick."

Bridgeman has been sick with Multiple Sclerosis for 21 years. 

Battling almost constant pain, she lost the ability to walk for years.

A woman of deep faith, Bridgeman sees the work she does now as keeping a bargain.

“I told God if he could help me walk again I would work for him,” she said.

And work she does. 

Through her pain and supporting a daughter diagnosed with brain cancer, she always manages a smile and always has an open heart.

“I don’t feel like a hero at all,” she said. “In fact, I struggled with this. I’m just doing what I’m able to do.”