Our Founding

The year was 1981. At the time, there were many unmet needs in the community. The government and other local agencies were simply not able to respond to needs for food, housing and other emergencies. Under the leadership of Reverend John Touchberry of St. John’s United Church of Christ, local churches and caring individuals from the community came together. Out of that gathering, Manna on Main Street was born. For the first two years, operations took place from the basement of the church. When the building next door was donated by a parishioner, Manna on Main Street came to life.

At the outset, soup was served two days a week and government surplus food was distributed. Day to day operations were handled by volunteers. In the early 1990s, a part-time coordinator was hired to oversee financial aid for emergencies. Over time, Manna on Main Street’s hours and programs were expanded to respond to increasing community needs.

Today, Manna on Main Street is still driven by community needs. With a full time staff of three people and a volunteer force of over 1,000 (we’re still counting), meals are served, food is distributed and funds are provided for emergencies. More importantly, Manna on Main Street is a place where all people are welcome – people in need and people who want to serve.

FAQs

Where does your food come from? Each year we have two major food drives: one by the Boys Scouts in November and the other by the Post Office in the spring. Manna on Main Street has its annual food drive in August. In addition, business teams, schools, civic organizations, churches, synagogues and the local mosque provide us food. Soups and casseroles for the soup kitchen are also prepared by the community. Students in The Culinary Arts Program at the North Penn Technical Career Center prepare food for us as well.

Where do you get your funding? Most of Manna on Main Street’s funding comes from the local community. Individuals, businesses, civic groups and the religious community support our works. We also receive some United Way funding. Less than 2% is government funding. Complete information is in our annual report.

Who are those people who come to Manna on Main Street? Our guests come from a variety of walks of life. Some of them are elderly who enjoy eating meals in a family setting. Some come with different physical and emotional disabilities, and it is a place where they can find a good meal. Many of our food pantry clients are working folks who need a little extra help to get by. And the families and individuals who come to us for financial help are facing a crisis and have no one else to turn to. For the most part, the people who come to Manna on Main Street are like all of us, our friends, family or neighbors.

Do you serve a lot of homeless people?  We serve only a handful of homeless on a regular basis. They come to the soup kitchen for a meal, or we may put them up in a motel room for a day or two during the winter. Our clients live in the community with us. Some of them own their own homes, some live in apartments, others in rooming houses. There are no homeless shelters in our area.

What are your biggest needs?  Our needs constantly change. There are times when we are low on certain items in the food pantry (cereals, canned meats, fruits). Other times we need soups for the soup kitchen. Sometimes funds are needed for oil deliveries and other utilities, rent or emergency motel stays. We appreciate whatever you can share.

Legal Status

Manna on Main Street has been recognized as a tax-deductable organization under Internal Revenue Service Code 501(c)(3) and by the State of Pennsylvania as an institution of Purely Public Charity. Official registration and financial information may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling toll free within Pennsylvania, 1-800-732-0999. Registration does not imply endorsement.

Governing Body

Manna on Main Street is goverened by a Board of Directors. Board members are from the local community, representing a variety of faiths and points of view. The Board meets every other month on the fourth Monday of January, March, May, July, September and November. Meetings are held at Manna on Main Street at 7:30 PM, and are open to the community.Everyone is welcome and has a voice at board meetings.