Letter: Manna Thanks Community for 30 Years of Success

As we enter the final month of celebration of ’s 30^th year of providing hot meals, food assistance and other types of emergency aid to those in need throughout the North Penn area, we pause to look introspectively as to where we’ve come from and to share where we’re going with the community.

Exciting things abound. 

For the first two years, operations took place from the basement of When the building next door was donated by a parishioner, Manna on Main Street came to life.

At the outset, soup was served two days a week and government surplus food was distributed. Day-to-day operations were handled by volunteers. In the early 1990s, a part-time coordinator was hired to oversee emergency aid. Over time, Manna on Main Street’s hours and programs expanded to respond to increasing community needs. 

For 30 years, Manna has been serving those in need with the vision “that all may be fed.”  Let’s briefly take a look at the accomplishments that have been possible with the community’s support:

• Accessible Services: Manna serves hot meals seven days a week through our soup kitchen and provides groceries Monday – Friday through our food pantry
  
  
• New Home: Manna completed a move from our 29-plus-year home of 800 square feet to our new facility at 713 West Main Street with 5,300 square feet to feed the community. Our new home provides an exciting, warm and dignified atmosphere from which clients may be served and volunteers may serve. Clients, volunteers and our amazing staff all give it rave reviews!
  
  
• Strong Leadership: Manna now has a staff of nine to meet the ever-increasing needs of the community- from managing a bursting supply of dedicated volunteers (1,500+) to working with our clients to understand how healthy food choices can lead to a better quality of life.
  
  
• Effective Food Distribution: Last year, we served 21,000-plus meals and distributed over 95 tons of food. Our community is being fed!

Moving Forward – A Local Vision

Manna is working to become a leading food advocate for the North Penn region by developing education and training programs that enable Manna’s clients to:

• Make the best practical choices in foods they eat
  
  
• Prepare highly nutritious meals, which will result in improved health and a better quality of life for them and their families
  
  
• Become financially self-sufficient and end the cycle of poverty

Moving Forward – A Local Collaboration

We are embarking with three mission-driven non-profit organizations to explore a transformational project called the “,” which would house the , Advanced Living Communities, and Manna on Main all under one roof. This collaborative would enable shared services to a wide population and effective delivery of services and resources to a shared clientele.

The people who come to Manna are many, yet they are one. They are our neighbors. They are people who — while maybe not “homeless” — seek a sense of home in the good company of the people eating at Manna’s soup kitchen that day.

They are people who — while perhaps not destitute — are neighbors having difficulty making ends meet. They are volunteers who take countless hours of their time to dedicate to the cause of helping those in need. And they are — most of all — our brothers and sisters in humanity who deserve the utmost in respect and dignity.

All of this is, and continues to be, possible with the tremendous support of our volunteers, our community partners and supporters, our staff and board of directors.

On behalf of the board of directors, I say, “Thank you for an extraordinary 30 years. Here's to a bright future with you!” 

Kareem Afzal
Chair, Manna on Main Street Board of Directors

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