If it weren’t for her son, Mrs. Bobbie Secich wouldn’t have moved to Effingham County. Tom McQuiston was a member of the Georgia Air National Guard 165th Airlift Wing and encouraged his mother to move to Southeast Georgia and escape the cold Ohio winters. 

Not only did she gain more sunshine with the move, but the 80-year-old Guyton resident brightened the lives of countless county residents with a food ministry she heads up through her church. 

Secich is the pantry coordinator for the Fillin Station. Operating out of the former Effingham County Middle School cafeteria, the Guyton Christian Church pantry provides food for less fortunate county residents Tuesdays and Thursdays of each week. The ministry relies on donations and the work of 40 volunteers, headed up by another volunteer, Secich. 

“We have a lot of seniors and disabled people serving as volunteers,” said Secich, adding the volunteers include a dozen special needs students from Effingham County High School, who learn valuable job skills. “We also have former clients who wanted to give back. They’re all committed. I love that.” 

One of those former clients is Robert Bisbee. When he lost his job as a mechanic two weeks before Christmas, the Guyton resident contacted Secich’s church for assistance and had his electric bill paid for two months. A grateful Bisbee asked if he could pay it forward somehow and was referred to the food pantry. He’s served as a volunteer for the past 10 years and marvels at the Secich’s commitment and drive. 

“Mrs. Bobbie’s an amazing lady,” said Bisbee, 68. “It’s hard to believe she does it all her age. She does so much for the community that most people don’t realize. She’s a fearless lady who goes beyond the call of duty. She’s not a brow beater, but she’s firm and believes you should do your job if you’re there.” 

The ageless and energetic Secich has headed up the pantry for seven years after serving as a volunteer since its inception in 2009. Retired as a bank branch manager in Ohio, Secich answered the call when former pastor David Grand George and other church members started the food pantry at the former Standard Oil filling station in Guyton. 

“I heard stories about people doing without,” Secich said. “Our bank in Ohio would adopt families at Christmas. We would adopt up to 15 families a year at our branch. I’ve been blessed and felt it was necessary to help less fortunate people in Effingham County.” 

Secich said food and security is a big deal in this country. With the increased cost of living, more people are struggling to meet their basic needs. She noted that Georgia ranks among the top 10 states of people experiencing some lack of food at 14.9 percent. 

“I see two to three families in one car due to transportation issues,” Secich said. “I see a lot of single parents. Eighty-six percent of food and insecurity is in the South and rural areas. We fit both parameters. We served 328 children in February. I want to make sure they get food. I don’t want any child to go to bed hungry.” 

Other individuals and groups have followed Secich’s example of giving back. She noted how a local man donates 60 dozen eggs every month. “He has that giving spirit,” Secich said. There also are various churches and Boy Scout Troop 295 and Cub Scout Pack 295, with the latter donating 1,400 pounds of food. Last Thanksgiving and Christmas, Ken’s IGA donated over 2,200 pounds of food. 

In 2025, according to Secich, the Fillin Station served 256,000 pounds of food to 11,567 individuals representing 4,083 families. In February, it handed out 20,432 pounds of food. Secich said Publix and Food Lion donate food and occasional cases of water, soda and other drinks. 

County residents who have been vetted can pick up food once a month by using drive-thru service implemented during the pandemic and receive two bags of canned goods, a bag of meat, a bag of dry goods such as pasta, cereal and beans, and a bonus box featuring fresh fruits and vegetables, boxed cereal, bread, pastries and other available food items. The pantry is affiliated with the USDA and GNAP and purchases a large amount of food at Second Harvest of Coastal Georgia. 

“We give out good food,” Secich said. “I won’t hand out anything I wouldn’t eat myself.” 

Former Guyton mayor Russ Dean said the Fillin Station is one of his church’s primary ministries. He’s served as a volunteer and credits Secich with setting the tone for the food pantry. 

“It’s all about Mrs. Bobbie,” Dean said. “She’s 80 years old and could run any business. I’ve never seen anyone who can raise so much hell. She has unbelievable motivational and organizational skills. It’s unbelievable what she can do at her age. She works 20 hours per week minimum. Really, Mrs. Bobbie should be paid for the amount of work she does.” 

Dean describes Secich as a “rough and tumble gal” who expects people to do their part at the food pantry and will call them out if they slack off. “There’s not a meanness to it,” Dean said. “It’s out of love. Mrs. Bobbie sets a wonderful  example. She’s a den mother and someone to talk to. She listens and takes the time.” 

Rev. Tyler Barnes has known Secich at Guyton Christian Church for about three years and said by the grace of God she has transformed a “5-gallon bucket and spring weight ministry” into a thriving and healthy service for the country and its residents. 

“She brought organization, clarity, administration and savings and fosters a wonderful work environment at the Fillin Station,” said Barnes, the family ministry director at Guyton Christian Church. “This is also a place where community service hours can be served. Having done some myself, I can appreciate the care and compassion that she brings to those who choose to volunteer there. And knowing Mrs. Bobbie, not enough could be said about our volunteers and she would want them to be the feature of this article.” 

If it weren’t for her son in the National Guard, Secich said, she wouldn’t have considered moving to Georgia, having lived in Pennsylvania and Ohio her entire life and not considering a relocation to the Southeast. God had other plans for her, however, and he used Secich’s son and the lure of milder winters to bring her to Georgia and Effingham County. 

“By the grace of God and humanity I’m healthy,” said Secich, who does all of the food ordering for the pantry. “I enjoy it. It keeps me young serving humanity. It’s my need to serve. We’re all disciples of Christ in the church. We’re all disciples. If they’re hungry, we’ll feed them.” 

Secich, who stresses kindness and building memories and friendships, said the pantry is her child. “I’ll do it until I can’t,” Secich said. “I might not be the coordinator, but I’ll do something.” 

Woody MacKay attends Guyton Christian Church and serves as Secich’s second in command at the food pantry. He said their families are close. MacKay notes they have a lot of retired seniors working together to make a difference in the community and motivation and cooperation by all makes for a smooth operation. Secich provides that. 

“Mrs. Bobbie does an excellent job running the Fillin Station, as we are all volunteers,” MacKay remarked. “She leads by example and does all of the jobs herself at some point.” ■