A Gift to Feed Those in Need

The Culpeper Presbyterian’s Manna Ministry Program is bolstered by the gift of two new stoves to meet the growing hunger crisis.

[Warrenton, VA, March 7, 2023] - Culpeper Presbyterian’s Manna Ministry opened in 2004, providing those in need with a warm sit-down meal, fellowship and offering prayer once a week. By the end of 2019, they had served over 10,000 meals, three days a week. The guests not only receive a meal, but with the support of local grocers and donors, they have historically been able to distribute meat and bread products. Manna also established the Fresh to Home program in 2021 to provide fresh fruit and vegetables for home use.

Manna has grown to serve 60% more people following the pandemic, addressing the significant rise in food insecurity throughout the Culpeper community. This growth poses a challenge to feed more people while food and supply costs rise and donations wane. More recently, a new need arose for an essential but behind the scenes element of the program; stoves to prepare the meals. That is when an anonymous donor with Northern Piedmont Community Foundation (NPCF) stepped in to help. Using their donor-advised fund (DAF) through NPCF, the donor was able to quickly grant the Manna program the funds they needed to purchase two new 36” gas stoves and keep the meals flowing.  The donor commented, “This is what our community needs and I am pleased to be able to help. These volunteers should be applauded for all they do.”

Presbyterian Church Business Manager, Barb Jenkins remarked, “Our mission is to serve warm meals to the underserved. Our current daily average is around 120 meals though we have served 152. Replacing our two ten-year-old stoves with new ones will be an enormous help with that!”