Nature and Purpose
Project Manna is the Massachusetts Avenue Baptist Church's outreach to the homeless and hungry. By providing nutritional assistance, it seeks to enhance the quality of life and decrease the incidence of hunger for low-income families and individuals. Since August 4, 1989 it has served an average of 250 meals per week on site and through home delivery to persons with AIDS and HIV infection. The cornerstone of Project Manna's contribution to the community is a four-course dinner offered each Monday and Friday evening. Served in Fellowship Hall of the church, this warm, nutritious meal is offered year-round to anyone in need. Approximately 100 homeless individuals enjoy this meal twice per week in a supportive, caring environment. Besides the hot meal, this program aims to provide an opportunity for our guest to engage in positive social interaction. Homeless individuals often experience extreme isolation from the rest of the community. To combat this loneliness, we encourage our staff and volunteers to join our guests and share the dinner meal. This intimate contact allows relationships to be formed and helps to alleviate some of the social isolation encountered by our guests. After the meal, shuttle service is provided to take many of our guests to area shelters where they spend the night.

Tasks
PULSE students will be involved in most aspects of the running of the Soup Kitchen. They will be responsible for setting tables, serving and interacting with the guests, and cleaning up. Students also have the option of going to the Food Bank to help carry and obtain the food needed for the week and of working once a month to distribute allotments of highly nutritious foods to low-income persons and families.

Time Requirements
Students will be required to work Monday and Friday from 3-8. If a student cannot work this schedule then he/she has the option of working Monday 3-8, Friday mornings, and one Saturday morning a month.

Supervisors
Rev. Howard McLendan
Rev. Beatrice Monroe Scott
Sandra Butler

Address
Massachusetts Avenue Baptist Church
146 Hampshire Street
Cambridge, MA 02139
868-4853

Council Member
Raju Kansagra

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