ORLANDO, Fla. — For Deborah “Lady D” Wiggins, serving others isn’t a duty — it’s a calling deeply rooted in the community she calls home.

Wiggins serves as first lady of The Hope Church in Orlando’s Washington Shores neighborhood, and through the church’s outreach ministry Hope Cares, she leads efforts to help people facing some of life’s most basic struggles.

“We want to come alongside them and be able to help them and support them in their journey,” Wiggins said.

What You Need To Know

Deborah “Lady D” Wiggins serves as first lady of The Hope Church in Orlando’s Washington Shores neighborhood
Through the Hope Cares holiday outreach, she leads efforts to make sure families in need receive meals, clothing and essentials 
The program was started during the pandemic and continues to meet urgent needs today
Volunteers who were once helped by the ministry are now giving hope back to others

Hope Cares was launched at the height of the pandemic when local families needed food, financial support, and community more than ever. Wiggins — often called Lady D — stepped in with church members and volunteers to meet that need.

“Under Hope Cares, we try to make sure that we are helping the members of our community meet their basic needs,” she said.

From food to clothes to holiday support, the ministry has become a lifeline. During a recent Thanksgiving distribution, Hope Cares provided meals and supplies to more than 300 families.

“We want to make sure they have a decent meal,” Wiggins said. “And not just that, but have what they would like for their Thanksgiving meal.”

Families also received $50 grocery gift cards to ensure no one went without a holiday celebration.

The work of Hope Cares is powered by volunteers — including people whose lives were changed by the church’s support.

“I lost my husband in April and was ready to give up,” said volunteer Michelle Brown. “I walked into Hope and they gave me hope — and now I’m out in the community to give hope to other people.”

She now helps organize the food pantry with fellow volunteer Antoinette Searcy, who also knows what it’s like to rely on others during hard times.

“I’ve had to go to places like Hope to find something to eat,” Searcy said. “Now that God has changed my life, I need to help other people in any way that I can.”

As someone who grew up in Washington Shores, Wiggins said giving back to the neighborhood is the honor of her life.

“I grew up in this community,” she said. “So, having the opportunity to come into this community on a daily basis and work and serve the people of the Washington Shores community is my heart.”

Through every act of giving, Wiggins and her Hope Cares team continue to shine light, love, and hope where it’s needed most — making her this week’s Everyday Hero.