Church partnership constant for 45 years
BALTIMORE ? Lovely Lane UMC was a charter member when Manna House incorporated in 1966 and over the years has continued its support. Today it is the only church supporting this ministry for poor, homeless and unemployed or under-employed people.
The Manna House ministry, which began as a soup kitchen, now describes itself as ?soup plus? because of the many services offered to poor people, ranging from food and clothing to case management and HIV testing.?We see people who are desperate,? said Esther Reaves, the executive director and a member of Lovely Lane. ?They?ve hit rock bottom. We see people at the end of the queue who need help.?
Manna House is composed of three contiguous row houses five blocks from the church. The third building donated to the program is currently being renovated and, when done in March, will be able to expand the services, especially for the drop-in center, which last year provided services to 936 individuals.
?We?ve seen the numbers go up to about 165 clients on an average day,? Reaves said. In 2004, Manna House served 51,246 meals.
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