CLARKSVILLE, TN – Sometimes the “neighbor” in “Love thy Neighbor” is outside of your neighborhood. That’s the view of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Last week as a semi-truck from Salt Lake City, Utah, pulled into the Manna Café Ministries parking lot with 40,000 pounds of food.
The delivery was initiated through local Stake Communication Director Candy Austin and dispatched by the headquarters of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It is the result of relationships that have grown between the Church and local nonprofit organizations like Manna Café working to meet the needs of the community.
“We try to never say no,” explains Austin. While not a guarantee, it is the mindset of the Church in this global initiative. Caring for the poor and needy is a foundational belief of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Built on the principles of personal responsibility, community support, self-reliance and sustainability, humanitarian efforts are designed to give individuals and communities the tools they need to improve their own circumstances in permanent and meaningful ways.”
Manna Café Ministries serves people in need in Montgomery and Stewart Counties through a soup kitchen on wheels, food box distribution, clothing and household goods distribution plus other vital resources. Manna Café also provides food distribution in Dover. Propelled chiefly by volunteers, Manna Café strives to restore hope, dignity, self-reliance, community, and the love of God through Jesus Christ.
“Partnering with Ms. Austin and local Stake President Stratie Young has been a tremendous honor and blessing to our mission here at Manna,” says Co-CEO Vicki York. “We are deeply grateful for their generosity and compassion for the hungry.”
Manna Cafe Ministries is located at 605 Providence Blvd. Contact them at 931-933-0970 or at www.mannacafeministries.
HOW TO HELP: For more information on local charities, go to #ClarksvilleStrong.