CLARKSVILLE, TN − With everything from a café on wheels that serves hot meals, to clothing distribution, warming shelters, and shower facilities for people experiencing homelessness, Manna Café is living out its mission to serve people suffering from economic insecurity.

Again, this year, it’s getting some help from the O’Reilly Automotive Foundation Inc., the philanthropy arm of O’Reilly Auto Parts. It’s building on last year’s grant of $10,000 with the same amount this year.

The money will go toward Manna Café’s Food Distribution program, which gives out food boxes three times each week. The large boxes weigh 30 to 60 pounds and include things like boxed and canned goods, fresh produce, dairy, beans, rice and even small household items. Last year, that program alone provided more than 26,000 carts of groceries to people in Montgomery and Stewart counties, which translates to over 1.6 million meals.

“We simply cannot assist the hungry and hurting in our community without compassionate supporters like the O’Reilly Foundation partnering with us to care for others,” said Vicki York, CEO of Manna Café Ministries. “Together, we are making a difference in the lives of over 7,500 adults and children who don’t always know where their next meal is coming from.”

Poor nutrition can contribute to decreased work capacity and the risk of developing illness. In children, it can be especially impactful, causing developmental delays, an increased risk of chronic disease and mental health issues like anxiety and depression.

Much of the food Manna Café distributes is “rescued,” meaning it is surplus food that would’ve been wasted – things like extra goods or mislabeled products. This program pairs that with people who need it, avoiding food waste of roughly 1.5 million pounds per year.

“We saw how Manna Café put their grant dollars to work last year,” said Julie Gray, president of O’Reilly Automotive Foundation, Inc. “Their efforts to make healthy food available for those who need it mean those same people are able to buy medication and make their rent payments.”

Manna Café’s grant is part of a year-end round of giving for the O’Reilly Foundation, which awarded $1 million across 35 nonprofits nationwide. It’s the largest distribution of funds from the foundation since its founding in 2020.