Souls Fed Every Week at Cafe Manna

Those looking for a hot meal and friendly company need look no farther than Café Manna. Since December 2001, every Thursday night, the doors open to the community, inviting in the hungry and anyone who wants a free meal. “A lot of friends are created here,” stated volunteer team leader Oleta Chester, “Our intention is to have people come for companionship.”

A dream of a parishioner from St. Teresa of Avila, the soup kitchen started out serving just one person; almost ten years later, the kitchen serves an average of 275 people each week, with 331 the most ever served at once. Five teams of volunteers rotate throughout the weeks, working one Thursday a month. The kitchen staff begins preparation for the meal earlier in the day, cooking around 11 am. Most of the food is donated by community members; 20-24 people provide salads and desserts each week. Some of the meat is also donated: what isn’t donated is purchased through monetary donations.

Volunteers also help serve the food, once the doors open at 4:30 pm. Charles Canty, “Big Tiny”, has spent the past five years serving the soup kitchen. Charles makes his way around the cafeteria during dinner, visiting with the regulars that have become family to him. “I love it…the Bible says I was created for such a time as this.” During the school year, Valparaiso University students often lend a helping hand at Café Manna. Lydia Hawkins is serving her second year at the kitchen. “I wanted to check out serving people,” she said, “Now I’m stuck, never left!” For her, it’s more than helping feed the hungry. “When I’m done serving, I grab a plate myself and sit with the people, get to know them.”

We really couldn’t pull this off if it weren’t for a lot of people involved,” stated Oleta. “Nobody goes away hungry.” To find out more about Café Manna, click here!