UUCT was there at the beginning of Manna 14 years ago and remains an active participant in a food ministry that includes five churches, most on Meridian Road. These churches celebrate spirituality in different ways but one ’theology’ they hold together is that people deserve to have food.

Manna does not require verification of identification, nor does it require immigration status, nor does it require financial information from it’s neighbors. If a family/person arrives at Manna to participate, Manna provides the same food (a bag of dry goods, a bag of produce, and meat when available) to each family/person.

Between the years of 2023 and 2024, Manna grew, thanks in large part to becoming a part of Second Harvest and contracting to be a part of the Retail Empowerment Program through SH. Through this program, Manna receives, weekly, produce, meat and other products from two grocery stores: Publix on Bannerman and Trader Joes. This has allowed Manna to expand from 12 distributions (one large per month) to the 12 large distributions PLUS smaller weekly distributions for a total of 77 distributions.

Manna served over 5000 families this year. Manna families have an average of 3.3 individual members, totaling 15000 individuals in calendar year 2024.

Manna volunteers number over 200 unique volunteers who logged (and only started logging hours in April) over 2700 hours. Manna is completely volunteer driven.

Please go to the link provided and read Manna’s first ever annual report. At least read the first summary page. You can smile knowing that you are part of something that is an important part of this community.

And please continue to donate – financially and goods – watch the UUCT Sharing Page on FB for updates for what is needed OR put your name on my monthly email list which identifies volunteer slots and items needed. Just text me (850-443-7807) your name and email.

Manna looks forward to continuing this great work with the support of the congregations of the five Manna churches.

Thank you!