New Year = Not Yet

While many are celebrating the arrival of the New Year, we are in the mode of considering the Not Yet. It's the same perspective of anticipating, looking ahead, thinking about what may come to pass.

As we think about our impending move to a new facility, we recognize there is still much work to be done. We know that not yet, is everyone being fed; not yet, does everyone have a warm bed for the night; not yet, is everyone living in dignity.

It is with great hope and anticipation that we will have you with us in the New Year, in the Not Yet, to consider the lasting change we can bring about for our friends, our neighbors in this community.

Leaving and Staying

You may have heard that Manna on Main Street will be moving from its current location. In a few months we're planning to vacate our 28-year home at 514 W. Main Street to Lansdale, and move to a larger facility at 713 W. Main Street in Lansdale.

Here are just a few thoughts on those components of leaving and staying:

Leaving - Clients waiting outside, not having access to a bathroom, poor access for the disabled

Staying - Caring volunteers, service above self, a welcoming place where everyone is fed...

Small Moments

For the past few weeks, Manna has enjoyed the help of an intern (we’ll call her Megan) from a local college. Megan’s studies are focused on a career in business, but she helped work on our Christmas gift program for kids.

In one of her conversations with Kristyn, Manna’s development associate, Megan was asking questions about the people that come to us for help, their life situations and the realities they face.

After more listening and more questions, it was like the flood gates opened for her – in that moment Megan came to realize how difficult life can be for others and the limited options they have.

Even though she came to Manna with a mindset for business, she will be leaving with a different perspective on the world. Like many that come through our doors, she will probably never be the same…

Still Learning

Considering Manna on Main Street's 30 years of service to the community, there could be the temptation to say that we have this all figured out. That we know people's needs, how to respond, how to best serve.

The truth is, we will never have this fully sorted out, because people's needs continue to evolve. Some of the things we did years ago (pre-packing bags of food for families, for example) would not work today, because we know they need the dignity of choice.

In fact we need to do more listening, try more innovative ways of reaching out to positively impact people's lives. While we ask more from our clients what they think, we also need to hear from you.

How do you think we can serve, do more...

Know Thanks

You may not see it, but we witness it every day.

Good people, in need, coming to the table, thanking us as they leave, filled.

Good people, in abundance, bringing food to the table, we thank them as they leave, filled.

Yes, we know thanks...

The Working Poor

Creative, innovative, savvy.

These are not typical words to describe the poor, but it is a common trait of people in need. Their resources are limited, sometimes fleeting, and they must be quick thinking to survive day-to-day.

As we see more and more people coming through our doors, we continue to be impressed how individuals continue to live on limited or no income, how they press on with a fragmented support network, how they continue to persevere.

The poor work very hard indeed, even more so when they have no job...

Going Green (and Red and Orange and Brown)

Manna has certainly made efforts to be as “green” as possible. We recycle tons of cardboard and plastic, and have moved from using Styrofoam soup bowls to those made of biodegradable cardboard. When we eventually move to a new location, there will be the opportunity to utilize real plates and flatware that can be washed and reused, but more on that later.

How we would really like to make ourselves greener (and other earth colors) is in the food we provide to the families that shop at Manna. We are looking to offer more fresh produce. In particular, for our Thanksgiving basket distribution, we are planning to give out bags of apples, potatoes, carrots and oranges to each of the households that receives a basket (estimated at 175).

If you are interested in helping in this effort, please give us a call and let us know what you can share…