Pennies from ...

Seems like this happens a lot. We have ordinary people who do extraordinary things. Reed Technologies, a local company that regularly sends volunteers our way, sponsored a fundraiser event named "Pot O' Copper" where employees donate loose change to help a worthy cause. Sandy Founds, who helped organize the event sent us an email that a check for $515 was on its way... no strings attached, just a message thanking us for the work we do, noting they are happy to share in the effort of serving people in need.

Bob the Bread Man

We could also call him Bob the Fruit Man or Bob the Turkey Man or Bob the Beef Man. Nearly every day, Bob drives his little pickup truck from store to store picking up day-old baked goods, produce and other excess food goods. He'll also visit companies or schools who have held food drives and deliver the goods to Manna. Whenever we need something picked up, Bob is happy to take care of it for us. When Bob makes his rounds, he also stops by other agencies and organizations to share the wealth. Bob is just another example of how this community serves and helps take care of people in need.

Banned

It can sound like a harsh, uncaring act, banning someone from the services at Manna on Main Street. There were two banning instances this past week, both for the same reason: asking for money. One of the rules for our guests is that they are not permitted to ask for money, cigarettes or rides. We want Manna to be a safe place, where no one will feel intimidated or pressured to do anything. So when we learned that two individuals were asking people for money, they were told to leave.

As in most cases, these individuals were not banned permanently, only for a week. That way it gives them to opportunity to realize that at Manna they have a pretty good situation. They receive free, very good food served by caring neighbors. If they have an emergency situation, we can often help them out. Usually, when they return, the issue doesn't come up again, and they settle back into their routine of coming to us for meals. In the long run, it works for everyone.

Happy Camper

Actually, George was not a happy camper. Homeless for seven months, he had been camping out in a wooded section not too far from Manna on Main Street. Through the fall and cold winter months he would slog to Manna for a hot meal. Dealing with an addiction to alcohol, he struggled to find his way in life.

Recently, however, George has been making some progress. He managed to find a job and started saving to get into a local rooming house. Last week he came to us saying that he needed a little help with his security deposit - he didn't want to use his last dollar just getting into a place. So we made the arrangements and had a check sent to the landlord.

It was fun talking with George yesterday. He was so relieved to have a roof over his head. He talked about how good it was to lay in a warm bed; he seemed thrilled to have a mini-refrigerator to store his food; he said there was a park nearby that he could walk to. We don't know how long George will be there, but we are hopeful that he will continue along his current path. For now, he is happy...