CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – It was a Thursday morning of great food, music and friendship at the annual Grits & Gravy fundraiser for Manna Café Ministries. It was also an anniversary as Manna Café celebrated 11 years serving those in need in Clarksville-Montgomery County.

More than 75 supporters attended the eighth annual Grits and Gravy breakfast – the first held at the new Manna Café Refuge Center at 503 D St., which is part of Manna Village on Providence Boulevard.

Manna Cafe Ministries celebrated their 11th anniversary with their annual Grits and Gravy Breakfast at the Manna Cafe Refuge Center , Thur. May 6 2021. (Lee Erwin)
Manna Cafe Ministries celebrated their 11th anniversary with their annual Grits and Gravy Breakfast at the Manna Cafe Refuge Center , Thur. May 6 2021. (Lee Erwin)
Manna Cafe Ministries celebrated their 11th anniversary with their annual Grits and Gravy Breakfast at the Manna Cafe Refuge Center , Thur. May 6 2021. (Lee Erwin)
Manna Cafe Ministries celebrated their 11th anniversary with their annual Grits and Gravy Breakfast at the Manna Cafe Refuge Center , Thur. May 6 2021. (Lee Erwin)
Manna Cafe Ministries celebrated their 11th anniversary with their annual Grits and Gravy Breakfast at the Manna Cafe Refuge Center , Thur. May 6 2021. (Lee Erwin)
Vicki York with Manna Cafe Ministries celebrates their 11th anniversary with their annual Grits and Gravy Breakfast at the Manna Cafe Refuge Center , Thur. May 6 2021. (Lee Erwin)
Manna Cafe Ministries celebrated their 11th anniversary with their annual Grits and Gravy Breakfast at the Manna Cafe Refuge Center , Thur. May 6 2021. (Lee Erwin)
Manna Cafe Ministries celebrated their 11th anniversary with their annual Grits and Gravy Breakfast at the Manna Cafe Refuge Center , Thur. May 6 2021. (Lee Erwin)
Manna Cafe Ministries celebrated their 11th anniversary with their annual Grits and Gravy Breakfast at the Manna Cafe Refuge Center , Thur. May 6 2021. (Lee Erwin)
Manna Cafe Ministries celebrated their 11th anniversary with their annual Grits and Gravy Breakfast at the Manna Cafe Refuge Center , Thur. May 6 2021. (Lee Erwin)
Manna Cafe Ministries celebrated their 11th anniversary with their annual Grits and Gravy Breakfast at the Manna Cafe Refuge Center , Thur. May 6 2021. (Lee Erwin)
Manna Cafe Ministries celebrated their 11th anniversary with their annual Grits and Gravy Breakfast at the Manna Cafe Refuge Center , Thur. May 6 2021. (Lee Erwin)
Kenny York with Manna Cafe Ministries celebrates their 11th anniversary with their annual Grits and Gravy Breakfast at the Manna Cafe Refuge Center , Thur. May 6 2021. (Lee Erwin)
Congressman Mark Green celebrates the 11th anniversary of Manna Cafe Ministries with their annual Grits and Gravy Breakfast at the Manna Cafe Refuge Center , Thur. May 6 2021. (Lee Erwin)

Manna Cafe recognized two of their supporters with awards: Grace Community Church for the most consistent giving from a business or church, and Carla and James Davis for most consistent donations from a private donor.

Founder Kenny York said it was 11 years ago on the National Day of Prayer that Manna Café served their first meal, during the flood of 2010. Today, the organization gives away 3 million pounds of food a year.

“It’s just the idea of celebrating what God has done with the growth of Manna Café in our community. We went from one meal a week, now we serve eight, so the growth has been phenomenal and it’s just what God has done with us and what the future looks like,” said York.

The guest speaker was Vicki York, who spoke about meeting Kenny while working in a ministry in Nashville, marrying in 2008, and launching Manna Cafe in 2010. She added that together they learned more about the joy and benefit of things like generosity and sacrifice.

For more on Manna Cafe Ministries and the Manna Village visit mannacafeministries.com.