2008
First Christian Church in Canyon, Texas will serve as Host
Site for Manna Ministries. We are excited about the
opportunity this will give folks to purchase good food at
good prices. We hope to expand to include everyone who
would like to be involved with this program.
Manna
Ministries is a non-profit, non-denominational organization
for food purchase and distribution. There is no income
requirements, no applications, or qualifications to which
participants must adhere. Like most retail grocery stores,
we will also participate in the Lone Star Food Stamp
program.
Manna
Ministries is dedicated to providing grocery relief and
financial support to communities throughout the United
States. The program was joined with Cornerstone
Outreach Ministries in Amarillo, Texas in January 2007.
(This is the same distribution site formerly designated as
an Angel Food Ministry host site.) Volunteers pick up the food and bring it back
to First Christian here in Canyon. It is then sorted into
boxes and readied for pick up by those who have placed and
paid for an order earlier in the month. Manna Ministries
crosses denominational lines and has spread the good news of
the gospel of Christ through salvation tracts that are
placed in each food order.
The
groceries are sold in a quantity that can fit into a
medium-sized box at $29.00 per unit. Each month’s menu is
different than the previous month and consists of both fresh
and frozen items with an average retail value of
approximately $50.00. Comparison shopping has been done in
various communities using a wide range of retail grocery
stores and has resulted in the same food items costing
between $42.00 and $78.00.
Generally, one unit of food assists in feeding a family of
four for about one week or a single senior citizen for
almost a month. The food is all the same high quality one
would purchase at a grocery store. There are no second-hand
items, no damaged or out-dated goods, no dented cans without
labels, no day-old breads and no produce that is too ripe.
Also
offered are specialty boxes such as steaks, chicken and
pork. Many participants in this program appreciate the
expanded choices. With the purchase of each regular unit of
food, you may purchase the specialty boxes. You may
purchase boxes of food for yourself or for someone else who
will enjoy receiving it.
Food
sales and distribution are handled by church host sites.
Orders and payments are collected by the host site during
the first part of the month. These orders are turned in to
the Cornerstone Ministries distribution site in Amarillo on
a predetermined date. Later that month, the host site in
Canyon (First Christian Church) will pick up the order and
bring it back to the church for distribution on that same
day. Everyone will need to come to the church to pick up
their food order during the times set, or make arrangements
with someone else to pick up and sign for your food. Food
cannot be kept at the church, no delivery service will be
available. All orders that are not picked up in a timely
manner will be given away. Since the orders are paid for
at the time the order is placed, there is no money involved
on the day of distribution. There is no
refund or credit given if
the food is not picked up.
On the
day of distribution many volunteers are needed to package
the bulk food into individual orders. We are asking
individuals who want to help to come to the church at 2011
4th Ave. At this writing, we are distributing
food from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. so the volunteers would
need to be at the church by 10:00 a.m.. These times may
change as the need requires but the date and times are
always listed in the previous month’s information included
in the food boxes. Other ways of information will be the
local newspaper and of course word of mouth. Order forms
may be picked up at First Christian Church also available at
locations to be named later. The completed orders and
payment can be mailed to the First Christian Church at 2011
4th Ave, Canyon , Tx. 79015 or taken to other
drop off places which are being arranged and will be
posted. Payment must be made to First Christian
Church.
