Manna

By providing low-barrier services, Manna is working to feed its local community and break the cycle of poverty in Durango, Colorado. City Market has supported this organization through the Fight Hunger bag program.

Tell us about Manna.

At Manna, our mission is to provide nourishing meals and supportive services in an atmosphere of acceptance and care for those in need. We have been operating since 1985, so we’ve served our community for almost 40 years.

For over 15 years, Manna was a volunteer-run organization aimed at feeding the community. Local church organizations would get together to prepare and serve food to people who might be unhoused or in need of support.

In 2001, we moved to our current campus, where we built a soup kitchen and continued to grow. We hired a small staff and developed an on-site garden where we’ve grown fresh produce for nearly 20 years. All the food we grow is distributed back to our community through our meals or at no-cost markets.

In 2014, we expanded our facilities, opening a second building to host a culinary program focused on job readiness. This 5-week training program prepares folks to work in the service industry. People leave with a food safety license, a kitchen-ready skillset, and access to job navigation support.

In 2022, we transformed our traditional soup kitchen model into our Resource Center and Food Market. Manna’s Resource Center offers on-site case management and resource navigation from our case managers and partner organizations. The no-cost Food Market allows people to shop for their food needs and receive items that fit their dietary, cultural, and household needs. We also have a takeout window where we continue to serve hot meals daily. The hot meals program has always been a cornerstone of our organization.

The hot meals program has always been a cornerstone of our organization.

What services do you provide to the community?

Since opening our Resource Center, Manna has been able to add a lot of additional support services and varied programming for people who are low-income, experiencing homelessness, at risk of homelessness, and experiencing food insecurity.

Manna’s services are extremely low barrier. Anyone can access the market and case management services since we don’t require any form of ID or income verification. Some of the services we provide have qualifications based on grant or funding requirements, but we do our best to make food and general resources as accessible as possible.

We understand that people’s situations are constantly in flux. Durango is a rural community with a high cost of living. Our seasonal, tourism-driven wages don’t always meet the financial needs of locals. We want to make sure our services are accessible to people experiencing diverse situations.

In addition to the Resource Center, food services, and case management, we host an on-site business center. Technology access is often required for employment, housing, and communication, so the business center provides access to phones and the internet.

What sets Manna apart from other nonprofits in your community?

Manna focuses on providing multiple services under one roof. Oftentimes, people accessing services are asked to keep appointments with several organizations. However, transportation can be difficult in a rural community like Durango, adding barriers to keeping appointments. When folks come to us, they can speak with a case manager, pick up groceries, and have breakfast.

Manna focuses on providing multiple services under one roof.

We also invite different partner organizations to work with us so that people can benefit from their varied expertise. For example, we have health navigators who provide on-site enrollment to a variety of physical, mental, and behavioral health services. Workforce development comes in to provide job placement services. Many partners help us provide the services we don’t have the capacity to offer.

Tell us a story that illustrates the good work of your organization.

A single mother and her two children had been receiving services at Manna for a few years. The mother grew up in Durango, but past circumstances had made housing hard to access. The family was living in their car.

She was eventually referred to our Rapid Rehousing Program. This program supports people experiencing homelessness by providing rental assistance and stabilization services. The goal is for participants to gain the skills to maintain long-term housing stability.

First, we connected her to the Bridge Housing Program, allowing them to temporarily reside in a local hotel while searching for stable housing. The program provided more stability than living in their vehicle and opened the path to finding a unit for the family.

 We worked with them for about a year and a half on finding employment, gaining income, and connecting to resources. A few months ago, they attained a Section 8 voucher, meaning they have long-term housing security that will fit their income. They were able to transition off our program into a housing situation that will provide stability for years to come.

What is your most outstanding achievement or contribution to the community?

Opening the Resource Center has been a massive accomplishment. Before this, we operated as a traditional soup kitchen. Our supportive services were minimal, offering bus tokens, thrift store vouchers, and necessary items such as socks and blankets.

It was good work, but it wasn’t addressing the full range of needs our community is experiencing. In 2020, we created a strategic plan to implement our vision for the Resource Center, providing more services under one roof.

Now, we address a range of food insecurity because needs look different for everyone. We have hot daily meals and a no-cost market to allow people to shop for food that fits their dietary restrictions, cultural needs, and family size. When a household is experiencing food insecurity, it’s likely that there are other issues that need to be addressed, such as housing, income, or employment. This is why we have moved toward a more holistic model. At Manna, folks connect with case managers who look at the full picture and connect them with resources that will help them reach their next goal.

When a household is experiencing food insecurity, it’s likely that there are other issues that need to be addressed, such as housing, income, or employment.

We’re in a small town in Southwest Colorado. We get a lot of feedback about how amazing it is to have a thorough resource in such a rural area. We are proud of everything we’ve been able to do in this community.

What do you want people to know about your organization?

There is a diversity of services here. Many folks still refer to Manna as Manna Soup Kitchen, our traditional name. People might think we only serve certain populations, but Manna is open to everyone. We understand that life happens, and a helping hand can go a long way.

Whether people need temporary, seasonal, or lifelong support, we are here. We offer a welcoming environment. Manna’s services are for anyone in our community.

Whether people need temporary, seasonal, or lifelong support, we are here.

How are you using the funds you’ve received from the City Market Fight Hunger bag program?

These funds go toward our meal programs. We have a backpack program that sends meals home with children who are at risk of food insecurity during the school year. This program requires us to purchase specific foods to ensure the food is equitable for all kids getting it.

We’re so grateful for this partnership and for City Market selecting us. We have been able to put the word out on social media and newsletters, and we know that has gotten support from our local community members.

Outside of this program, City Market has donated so much food to Manna, allowing us to keep feeding our community. The food we receive is distributed through the Food Market and is used to cook our daily meals. So not only are we ensuring people have access to quality foods, but we’re also working together to reduce food waste in our community. The different ways we have continued to build this partnership and received support mean so much to us. We appreciate all that City Market does to support Manna and other organizations that do similar work to us both in Colorado and nationwide.

Published November 12, 2024.