This is the warehouse, which is part of the Manna House on East Franklin Street:

As you can see, the warehouse is full of food, because this is what we do: distribute food boxes 3 days a week. Last year, we gave out nearly a quarter million pounds of food–even though 2011 was our first full year in operation!

Since everyone likes pictures, here’s another one showing our volunteers taking food boxes out to clients’ cars.

Since we’re distributing so much food, and since our warehouse is only so big, we have a problem: we’re running out of room, FAST. And the only way to go is up, as you can see in the first photo. So here’s the solution:

Shelving! Kenny has found a good deal on these units, but so that we don’t break the bank trying to manage the lack-of-space problem, we’re inviting you to sponsor a unit for $175. If even a tiny fraction of our friends will sponsor a unit, we’ll be able to “move on up” and keep getting the groceries out there to those who need them. If you’d like to be a part of this, just hit the Donate button and specify “shelving unit” or come by the Manna House so we can thank you in person. Please make sure that Vicki knows you sponsored a unit by messaging her on FB (Victoria Doulos York) so she can post everyone’s names when this project is complete.

Thank you so very much!

As people arrived at Thursday Café tonight, I noticed quite a few with their sleeves pulled over their hands or their heads uncovered against the cold. So once the meal got going I gathered a couple of bags full of hats, gloves, socks, etc. to pass out. I asked a few of our volunteers, including Danielle, whom I’d never met before, if they wanted to give me a hand. Danielle was, apparently, the perfect person for the job because she responded, “Oh! Sure—I just gave away my own hat and gloves!” Then we went our separate ways, divvying out the goodies.

A little while later, Danielle came up to me and motioned toward one of our veteran Manna Café workers, Jennifer, who was sitting with several other people at a table. Jennifer is pretty, tiny, and willowy, with no fat to keep her warm, so she was dressed in a pair of Carhart overalls, a hoodie pulled around her head. Danielle asked me, “Should I ask her if she needs a hat or gloves? I can’t always tell who to ask—we all look the same!”

We—the volunteers, the Manna Café core team, the homeless, and the otherwise poor—all looked the same. The “us-and-them” lines were blurred. We looked like one big, zany family. Just as it should be.

This morning, the Jingle Bell Jog/Run for a Reason brought in more than $6000 for Manna Cafe! Over 400 runners crossed the finish line, including Kenny/a.k.a Pastor Bubba, who ran in his overalls and flannel shirt but still managed to come in third place in his division! Thank you so very much to all the volunteers, sponsors, runners and organizers who pulled this day together. We are honored and humbled by the turnout and by the sacrifices made by many, especially Eddie Ferrell and Casey Jenkins Combs. I wish I could name everyone who pitched in, donating their time, resources, energy, money, and more. You are our heroes! ClarksvilleNow did a great job of reporting and posting photos, so just click here or cut and paste to your browser: http://www.clarksvillenow.com/Jingle-Bell-Jog-5K/11639376

For frequent updates on Manna Cafe, “like” our Manna Cafe Ministries FaceBook page. For updates regarding volunteer opportunities, “like” our MannaCafe VolunteersInfo FaceBook page. 

Thanks to 5-Star Radio; dozens of volunteers from all over Clarksville; our local Wal-Mart, Food Lion, Kroger, Hilltop, and GFS stores; and the generous people of our community, Saturday’s Combat Hunger was a huge success. Our grand total: nearly 14,000 pounds of food and enough in monetary donations to purchase another 20,000 pounds! Due to a glitchy camera, photos won’t be posted for a couple more days, so stay tuned. Kenny and I made the rounds of all the food drives, where our volunteers (including a team from the Fort Campbell BOSS program) seemed to be having a great time–even in the afternoon when the weather got pretty cold and very windy. Thank you all so much for being part of this event and making a difference in Clarksville.

Make plans now to stop by your favorite store tomorrow! Combat Hunger is a day-long food drive, sponsored by 5-Star Radio and involving all the major grocery stores in Clarksville. This day has been set aside for one purpose: to allow the people of Clarksville to personally chip in and help in the battle against poverty in our hometown. (We’re also accepting pet food donations, which will go to the Humane Society.) It’s going to be a big day; last year we gathered 15,000 pounds of food, and we’re believing we can double that. Many thanks to all our volunteers and other supporters. For a list of needed items, click on the Food Pantry/Mobile Pantry link above.

It’s fall, which means it’s gorgeous and sunny at noon but cooooold at night. It’s wonderful to snuggle up under a down quilt when the sun goes down, but let’s not forget that some people have to battle the elements night after night. We at Manna Cafe would love nothing more than to have the space and resources to give every homeless person a warm place to sleep every night (and that’s Number One on our list of goals!). But until then, we’ll be distributing coats, blankets, hats, gloves, and tarps to those who need them. If you’d like to help, just come by the Manna House with your donations M-F from 10-4. We’ll make sure that your extra parka or comforter goes to someone who needs it.

The Manna House is located at 1319 Franklin St., Clarksville (behind Gateway Tire and almost across from Cook’s Market).

Tell your friends and neighbors! This Saturday, October 8, Manna Cafe will be having another Mobile Pantry. Fellowship Church at 2201 Peachers Mill has generously offered their location once again. Free groceries will be distributed to whomever is in need, beginning at 10:00 a.m. (arrive early if possible!) All you need is an ID; we’ll even take your groceries to your car and load them.

Want to help? Be on site at about 8:30 a.m.–and we can always use fresh troops at clean-up time, around 1:00 p.m.

See you there!

Check out the story of our first-ever Mobile Pantry at http://www.mannacafeministries.com/site/uncategorized/mp/.

Tell your friends and neighbors! This Saturday, September 10, Manna Cafe will be having another Mobile Pantry. Montgomery Central Elementary has generously offered their location once again. Free groceries will be distributed to whomever is in need, beginning at 10:00 a.m. (arrive early if possible!) All you need is an ID; we’ll even take your groceries to your car and load them.

A team of hard-working, faithful volunteers is standing by, but we can always use fresh troops at clean-up time at 1:00 p.m.

See you there!

Check out the story of our first-ever Mobile Pantry at http://www.mannacafeministries.com/site/uncategorized/mp/.

We’re having a huge yard sale fundraiser tomorrow, Saturday August 13th from 7 am to 2.  Hundreds of donated items will be on sale, and the event is rain or shine. 1319 E. Franklin St. (Directions: Turn on Hornberger from College Street and make a left. For information visit Manna Cafe Ministries on Facebook!)

What a great day! More than a hundred peeps came by the Manna House today to celebrate the completion of our new commercial kitchen. So many folks pitched in; it was very touching and I pray that God blesses your socks off. Rob Seklow/Clarksville Now did such a great job of reporting that I’ll just pass on the link:

http://www.clarksvillenow.com/Manna-Cafe-Ministries-Celebrates-Expansion/10370173

(Something’s a bit wonky, so you may have to copy and paste– but do check it out, there are photos and a video and everything!)

Moving forward, looking upward…

P.S. If you haven’t seen the new Manna Cafe video, check it out too. This is what happens in our community because of our volunteers and supporters. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wFCnfwFcplo