On this episode of Reelfoot Forward: A West Tennessee Podcast, Mandy Hinson, a familiar voice and face to many in the region from her years at West Tennessee PBS, shares her personal journey from growing up in South Fulton to navigating early college struggles, modeling in Atlanta, and even working behind the scenes during the 1996 Olympic Games. Those experiences eventually led her back home to complete her degree and begin a long and meaningful career in public media, where she spent nearly two decades connecting communities through storytelling and fundraising.

Today, Mandy serves in community and donor relations at St. John’s Community Services, where she helps support individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, as well as families facing housing and food insecurity. She talks about the organization’s person-centered approach, their food and clothing pantry, and the powerful impact of community partnerships in West Tennessee. It’s a conversation about second chances, finding your calling, and the people and places that shape a life of service.

This episode is sponsored by McDonald’s and McWorth Management.

This podcast episode is available online on Soundcloud, Castbox, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, Spotify and other popular podcast platforms and apps.

More about St. John’s Community Services

More about Employment and Community First CHOICES

• Canned meat (chicken, tuna, ham)
• Soup and chili
• Pasta and pasta sauce
• Peanut butter and jelly
• Rice
• Beans
• Canned fruits and vegetables
• Ramen noodles
• Mac and cheese
• Microwave meals (Hormel Compleats, Chef Boyardee, instant noodles and pasta cups)
• Oatmeal and cereal
• Diapers and wipes
• Baby formula and baby food