When people walk through the doors of the Selma Area Food Bank, they are greeted by the bright smile and helping hands of Melvin Spears, who has spent more than 20 years working at the nonprofit organization.

Spears was honored Thursday for his dedication and hard work when the Selma and Dallas County Chamber of Commerce presented him with the Rising Star Award, which is given to employees that display outstanding customer service.

“They told me to dress up,” Spears said. “I didn’t know what it was for, but I am proud of [the award] and that they think that much of me.”

Spears started working at the food bank in April 1993 when it first opened its doors.

“He has been here since the beginning,” said J.D. Parks, executive director of the Selma Area Food Bank. “He knows all the ins and outs, and he takes initiative on a lot of things.”

Parks can always count on Spears to be there.

“He’s always here,” Parks said. “He’s never sick or late, and he always does a great job for us.”

Whether it is keeping food on the shelves or helping people pick out food, Spears does a little bit of everything at the food bank.

“I stock the shelves and whatever needs to be done. Whatever the situation comes down to, I just do what I have to do,” Spears said. “It is just in me I reckon.”

Parks said people from the agencies the food bank serves always enjoy working with the 20-year veteran.

“He is always in a good mood. People like having him help them when they are picking out food,” Parks said. “The agencies come in here and pick out what they want, and Melvin helps them out with that and sometimes explains what the stuff is.”

Spears is usually one of the first ones in the door and one of the last people to leave. If something needs doing, he is also the first one in line, Parks said.

“Melvin gets here usually right after I do, and he does anything we want,” Parks said. “He takes initiative and sees things that need to be taken care of and does it without direction.”

Before coming to the food bank, Spears said he volunteered at Bosco Nutrition Center. He said he truly enjoys what he does because it is for a good cause.

“I enjoy seeing that the food goes to somebody that needs it,” Spears said. “God has blessed me, and the food that we get can bless somebody else.

Contact the Selma Area Food Bank by phone at (334) 872-4111.