Bowater Employees Credit Union member Flo Golden and her favorite charity, the food pantry of Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church in Etowah, have won $1,000 from BECU through the Pay It Forward program.

BECU has asked its members to nominate their favorite non-profit helping people in the counties eligible for BECU membership: Bradley, McMinn, Meigs, Monroe and Polk. The Wesley Memorial UMC of Etowah Food Pantry is the first winner of 2012. The food pantry serves people who are included in the Etowah Utilities District. A total of 1,002 visits to the food pantry were recorded in 2011.

BECU began the Pay It Forward program in 2010 as a way to give back to the community it serves. Since the program's inception, BECU has given $9,000 to various charities making a difference in our community.

-- Kim Gunter