The Episcopal Church
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Saint Andrew's Manna Food Pantry was started in the late 1980's as an outreach ministry to the hungry in Mecosta County. It was developed as an emergency pantry primarily designed to meet the needs of clients referred by the Michigan Family Independence Agency (now the Department of Human Services.) In 1998, the first year statistics were kept, it provided food to 208 client families (687 people.) This averaged about 17 families a month.
In 2005 the Manna Pantry moved into a new location, the renovated double-car garage of the former rectory. With the move, it became a pantry-of-choice where clients are permitted to 'shop' for their food needs from our shelves. It has become an ecumenical outreach ministry supported by St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church, St. Paul's Roman Catholic Church, and Immanuel Lutheran Church. Referrals are accepted from seven community agencies. Through the end of October 2007, it provided food to 572 families (1995 people). This is an average of 57.2 families a month with some months reaching a high of 90 families. It is truly a blessing that St. Andrew's is able to house this much needed community resource. |