Manna on Main Street Works to End Hunger
by Michelle Bense
Manna on Main Street, headquartered in Lansdale, is committed to ending hunger in the North Penn region by providing food, fulfilling social service and education needs and conducting community outreach. Through its food pantry and soup kitchen, emergency financial aid, counseling and education opportunities, they serve those in need with the hope “that everyone might be fed”.“Manna serves a range of individuals who are at-risk, homeless, working poor families and the elderly,” says Paige Harker, development officer. The organization regularly serves over 1,070 households and over 3,000 individuals through its food pantry. There are currently 41 local businesses that partner with Manna by fundraising and giving the proceeds to Manna to feed the hungry in our community.
Over 2,000 volunteers use their time and energy to support Manna in various ways. “Manna needs volunteers in all areas of programming, including the soup kitchen, food pantry, education and training and general administrative support work,” says Harker. Individuals as well as volunteer groups are welcome to help the cause, and all volunteers must attend a brief training before beginning work with Manna, held several times a month.
“Share your extra home-grown produce with the families we serve through our Veggie Basket program; aid the Summer Food Service Program, which addresses the meal gap during the summer months for children who are enrolled in the reduced/free lunch program in schools; and garden with us at the Community Garden at Christ United Methodist Church,” suggests Executive Director Suzan Neiger Gould.
Those interested in helping Manna’s mission to eliminate hunger in our region may give food, time or money to help the organization continue to provide food and assistance to those in need.
Manna accepts non-perishable foods, fresh produce, frozen and refrigerated items, prepared food from a commercial kitchen and catered leftovers.
Manna on Main Street is located at 713 W. Main St., in Lansdale. For more information, call 215-855-5454 or visit MannaOnMain.org.
Michelle Bense is a freelance writer and editor for Natural Awakenings magazines. Connect at [email protected]. July 2015.
