Less Than Perfect

In spite of all the good we attempt to do, there are still a number of things that keep us from moving forward, and being all that we want to be. For example:

• We serve our meals on flimsy paper plates, instead of real china
• There is seating for only 15 people - sometimes folks have to wait outside
• Too often we refuse financial aid to someone in need
• Pies, cakes and other sweets are too often found on our shelves
• Far too many volunteers are turned away for lack of space to accommodate them

These, and the many other imperfections we live with can actually be good. They confront us every day and challenge us. How can we increase our service to people in need? How can we better engage our volunteers to help make a difference in people's lives? How can we make our small operating space larger in our outreach?

Less than perfect helps us to maintain our heart, our passion, our striving to do more...

Generous Winners Redux

JT, the winner of our cookie guessing contest is an elderly gentleman who lives alone. For his custom dinner, he requested, and Barry, our food service manager, prepared for him Flounder Francoise, asparagus and red bliss potatoes, along with an appetizer of cheese and fruit. One of our volunteers ran down to the local thrift store and picked up some china and silverware (the thrift store insisted on selling the items to us for 1 cent). JT arrived in a suit and tie and the other staff members, Liz and Nadja served him.

The next day JT dropped off a thank you card, expressing how deeply he was touched by the experience. For us it was one of those lump in the throat experiences, one that affirmed who we are, and probably gave us a customer for life...

The Great Pumpkin... erm Orange?

No one really knows for sure what produce item she represents, but Moriah Zimmerman from the Food Trust was a big help in our fresh produce drive. Landis' Market in Souderton allowed the Community Nutrition Coalition to hold the drive at their store, and we collected over 850 pounds of potatoes, oranges, apples and other fresh fruits and vegetables.

The Community Nutrition Coalition is a network of local food pantries working together to provide food and nutrition education to people in need living in the North Penn and Indian Valley region.

The Beauty of Tedium

Every day it's the same thing:

• Put soup on the stove top, meal in the oven
  
• Restock the plates, cups, plastic-ware and napkins
• Serve a meal to the guests
• Clean up
• Restock shelves for the food pantry
• Help guests with the grocery shopping
• Clean up
• Put the afternoon meal in the oven
  
• And on and on

Day after day, year upon year, the routine is repeated. What keeps us going is the beauty this tedium brings about. The guests are grateful, volunteers are fulfilled and everyone looks forward to the next day...

Generous Winners

When Barry, Manna's food service manager, saw the barrel of cookies, he knew what he had to do... have a contest. He counted the cookies then posted a sign for all our guests: whoever guessed the number of cookies would receive a custom-prepared meal for two, plus the jar of cookies. One entry was allowed per dining session, and the competition was held for one week.

In the end, JT came the closest to the actual number (guessed within two of the 972 official count). And when it came time for JT to claim his prize, he asked for a bowl to share the cookies with everyone at the table. He also said that since he lived by himself, he only needed one meal, not two. JT's generosity really reflects the spirit of giving at Manna, be it from volunteers, staff or guests..

Be My Turkey Valentine

Sarah, Annie and Paul were supposed to serve a meal at Manna on Saturday the 6th, but they were snowed out. So, to make up for the time they missed, they brought in Valentines goodie bags and flowers to go along with the Thanksgiving/Valentines food baskets that were distributed this past Friday.

In the past, Sarah made Rosary beads and sold them to benefit Manna. We are always inspired by what the young people in our community do to help care for people in need...

Caring... but Calculating

As a nonprofit soup kitchen, it is natural that we are a caring organization. We welcome anyone who is hungry, and provide a safe place for people to come together and be fed. At the same time, we are very methodical in how we run our business. There is a budget in place; we never spend more than we take in. The surplus at the end of each year is invested conservatively, so that we have a guaranteed reserve in the event of an emergency.

When an individual or family asks for financial aid, we perform a thorough background check to validate the need. The checks are never paid to the individual, but to the landlord, utility company or health care provider. We even calculate our success rate of keeping people in their household (last year it was 94%).

In our partnerships, we align ourselves only with the best organizations in the community - agencies like the North Penn Boys & Girls Club, the Lamb Foundation, the North Penn YMCA, Keystone Opportunity Center, Laural House - those who have proven to make a positive impact on the people they serve. By working with and learning from our partners, we improve our operating methods.

We are indeed very calculating... because we care.