Oak Spring Baptist Church leadership believes in “corporate” tithing. Just like they want their 600 members to tithe 10% of their income to the church, the church donates 10% of its income to the community.

On Wednesday, MLGW’s Board of Commissioners recognized the church’s generosity to MLGW’s Gift of Comfort program.

The church gave the program $40,000 to pay the utility bills in full of 103 customers in the Millington and Arlington area.

Rhonda Thompson was among the recipients. The funds also helped two of her aunts on a fixed income and most, if not all, of her elderly neighbors. “This is over and beyond financial relief for them,” she said. Because of the $250 credit on her utility bill, she donated $250 to a scholarship fund.

“Everybody will be starting fresh,” said Beverly Perkins, who oversees the Gift of Comfort program for MLGW. Perkins said this is the third time Oak Spring has given to Gift of Comfort in the past 18 months. Previously, the Arlington-based church gave $14,000. Oak Spring Pastor Michael Martin explained why: “It’s just a need we have identified. It doesn’t stop the bleeding, but it does slow it down a little bit.” To donate, go to mlgw.com/giftofcomfort. The program gives individuals or organizations the chance to make a payment towards a customer's utility bill.

MLGW is the largest three-service public power utility in the nation, serving more than 440,000 customers in Memphis and Shelby County.