Since 2011, the mission of the Manna Homeless Society is to provide food, survival equipment and temporary housing in hopes of also meeting our long term goal of providing permanent housing. We work with other associations and agencies to meet the needs of the homeless.
Our Results (from 2011-2016)
We come alongside individuals, couples and sometimes families suffering from relational and physical poverty and offer tangible help. From access to food, transportation, laundry facilities, hygienic supplies, clothing, raingear and outdoor survival packs, most of the people we work with simply do not have the necessary resources to obtain these basic requirements for life that most of us take for granted on a daily basis.
When it came to our attention that many people would benefit from bikes, we launched a bicycle drive which resulted in the distribution of almost one hundred bikes last year! When the possibility of helping connect several homeless people to access campgrounds and RVs came about, we jumped on it and have successfully arranged for more permanent lodgings for some people facing extreme need. Medical care is another issue numerous people we support struggle with. After reaching out to see how we could shorten the gap between people on the street and healthcare, we were joined by a public health nurse who has made herself available weekly at the Manna van as well as daily via phone contact.
Our 100% volunteer run mobile service enables us to meet people where they are at. We respond to calls for help 365 days a year. To give you a better idea of the remarkable need we are trying to meet, take a look at the number of items that we have distributed between 2011 and 2016 below.
| 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | |
| Tents | 65 | 89 | 130 | 95 | 120 | 134 |
| Tarps | 38 | 93 | 120 | 138 | 165 | 199 |
| Sleeping bags | 101 | 163 | 230 | 260 | 280 | 305 |
| Blankets | 228 | 360 | 70 | 45 | 45 | 89 |
| Survival packs (clothing, camping gear, personals) | 1,396 | 1,700 | 2,400 | 3,600 | 4,568 | 5,306 |
| Food (bags of groceries) | 1,247 | 1,600 | 2,275 | 3,450 | 4,442 | 5,260 |
| Bikes | – | – | – | 40 | 97 | 80 |
| Motor homes | – | – | – | – | 2 | – |
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