LAKELAND, Fla. -- This week's Everyday Hero is going against the grain to provide hope and food to struggling families. 


What You Need To Know

  • Melynda Rinker is this week's Everyday Hero

  • Rinker bakes and gives away free bread to struggling families

  • She bakes anywhere from 20 to 65 loaves every Friday

  • More Everyday Hero stories

Friday is baking day at Melynda Rinker's Lakeland home. 

"I bake anywhere from 20 to 65 loaves of bread every Friday. It's kind of become a challenge to see how many different breads I can make," Melynda said. 

It all began when she baked a few loaves too many awhile back and asked on Facebook if anyone wanted one. 

So she started baking more and offering them for free. 

"The next week I was up to 10 loaves, then 20, 25, 30, and 40 and 50 more," she said. 

As a child, Melynda's mom baked and Melynda was her helper. For Melynda, the payback for this is worth all the fresh bread in the world. 

"Being able to see people and share smiles and laughter and just their joy over a loaf of bread. Honestly it's been really good for my soul," she expressed.