Contributed commentary by Mike Dousette of Clarksville on Manna Cafe Ministries.
Looking for an activity to keep busy following retirement, I began tracking and studying several nonprofits in the community and, after careful consideration, I decided to focus on Manna Café Ministries. I read all I could find about the late Kenny York and his wife Vicki’s efforts to provide (through the goodness and generosity of Clarksville-Montgomery County communities) aid to homeless and low-income individuals and families. I found their efforts have been nothing short of astounding. Manna and its resolute staff work so hard to bring a measure of glory to Jesus’ instruction by supplying clothing, food and other resources to help people find a path back to a more certain future. It is not always successful but even in those difficult moments I can assure anyone that it never fails due to a lack of effort.
What a great staff! In addition to mentoring young culinary interns, consider Ms. Rita and her helpers in the kitchen, who weekly prepare thousands of excellent hot meals and are served at The Refuge and via mobile café trucks. I think about Ms. Shelly and Ms. Tonya, who organize and run the warehouse clothes and home item closet and distribute those things on an almost daily basis. I think about Mr. Stanley in the warehouse without whose presence so much would simply not happen. He and his manager and co-workers/volunteers manage the truckloads of items that flow into the warehouse and refrigerators/freezers for distribution. There are professional staff who get needful folks pointed in the right direction for recovery after they have fallen into difficult situations. I believe they have saved lives. Others include Ms. Brandy and her front office staff, whom Manna so depends on. Manna’s spiritual leader in Ms. Vicki. She is one of the many community lights that shine at Manna, but her leadership in this regard could never be overstated. She is the glue that makes the mission happen. In my 72 years, I have never met a harder working and dedicated group who all share service to others as a common focus and improve our community.
I stress that there is much to be done to keep the mission successful in a meaningful way, and you can help. For example, how many of you knew that Manna Cafe has a catering service? If you own a business, it is an economical way to improve morale and show appreciation to employees or others who have achieved something special.
To my surprise I learned that what occurs at Manna Café, and other community non-profits, takes pressure off city and state resources. I would contend that it truly reduces overall law-breaking locally because of the many services provided.
I am also reaching out to appeal for volunteers for a few hours a week or to those who are looking for more substantial employment. Manna Café has from time-to-time openings for drivers and other positions that are worth considering. Many of Manna Café’s staff are veterans including many of those mentioned earlier. They continue to proudly serve. So, if you are someone looking for something larger than yourself, I strongly urge you to look at Manna Café do a bit of Godly work.
I do wish I had met Kenny York. I think we would have been fast friends, and I know that many still miss his leadership. Everyone I have talked to about him said he was a “character” and that he cared deeply about Manna Café’s mission. In the end, Manna’s founder “walked the walk” and not just “talked the talk.” I urge you to look at Manna’s website for the many things he did for our community.
To all those who have contributed financially and/or supplied support via your labor, thank you and God bless. You shine brightly in this community even when we do not know who you are – but guess who does know! Let’s continue to take care of our own. I believe that’s who Clarksville-Montgomery County is, and because the need has never been greater. I do appeal for your help which is easily done at Manna’s website.