Manna:
What is it?
Manna Ministries is a nonprofit, Christ centered food pantry that serves the Brunswick County area. The name is derived from the story in Exodus 16, where God fed the Israelites bread from heaven. They called the bread Manna, a word meaning "What is it?"
In John 6: 32-33, Jesus said, "Most assuredly, I say to you, Moses did not give you the bread from heaven, but My Father gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is He who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world." and in verse 35, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst."
At Manna, we believe in feeding both the body and the soul. We seek to meet the material needs of our community, but also help meet their spiritual needs through prayer and sharing the gospel. For, through Christ, we truly find life.
In John 6: 32-33, Jesus said, "Most assuredly, I say to you, Moses did not give you the bread from heaven, but My Father gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is He who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world." and in verse 35, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst."
At Manna, we believe in feeding both the body and the soul. We seek to meet the material needs of our community, but also help meet their spiritual needs through prayer and sharing the gospel. For, through Christ, we truly find life.
Our Values
At Manna Ministries, our volunteers come from many churches and denominations. As a result, Manna Ministries holds to the Fundamental Christian belief structure. We believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, He died on the cross for our sins, and he rose again on the third day. He is our Lord and Savior, and He commissioned us to spread His gospel and to serve those in need.
Our Story
In 2008, seven local churches partnered with Brunswick Family Assistance to launch a food pantry in Brunswick County.
Planning to launch in the fall of 2008, they set a goal to feed 100 families a month. This cost $900 dollars a month–in food or cash.
Although they worked all summer to raise awareness and enough supplies to launch, they came up $750 dollars short.
But God provided.
Just days before Manna’s first distribution, one of the pastors received a call from an acquaintance who had been touched by a recent message. They donated $750.
On September 5th, Manna Ministries held their first distribution, just ten days before the New York Stock Exchange crashed.
That November, Manna served 225 families in less than two hours and ran out of food. Volunteers restocked, and reopened distribution two days later, serving 50 more families.
God planted the seeds for provision before anyone realized there was a need in our community.
From 2008 to 2011, Manna Ministries served outdoors at Victory Church in Leland. Miraculously, it did not rain during a single distribution in those three years. God provided protection from the elements.
In 2011, Manna became a stand-alone organization and moved to Closer Walk Church. They provided storage space, tables, and the ability to move parts of the distribution line inside. We served the community there for eleven years.
In 2022, Manna moved to Woodburn Presbyterian church, who provided us with more storage space, tables, and gave us the opportunity to better streamline our distribution.
We thank and praise God always for His abundant provision for our ministry. Because of Him, we have been able to serve Brunswick County every month–except during hurricanes–for 15 years. It is by His grace and provision that Manna has the opportunity to love and serve our neighbors in need.
Planning to launch in the fall of 2008, they set a goal to feed 100 families a month. This cost $900 dollars a month–in food or cash.
Although they worked all summer to raise awareness and enough supplies to launch, they came up $750 dollars short.
But God provided.
Just days before Manna’s first distribution, one of the pastors received a call from an acquaintance who had been touched by a recent message. They donated $750.
On September 5th, Manna Ministries held their first distribution, just ten days before the New York Stock Exchange crashed.
That November, Manna served 225 families in less than two hours and ran out of food. Volunteers restocked, and reopened distribution two days later, serving 50 more families.
God planted the seeds for provision before anyone realized there was a need in our community.
From 2008 to 2011, Manna Ministries served outdoors at Victory Church in Leland. Miraculously, it did not rain during a single distribution in those three years. God provided protection from the elements.
In 2011, Manna became a stand-alone organization and moved to Closer Walk Church. They provided storage space, tables, and the ability to move parts of the distribution line inside. We served the community there for eleven years.
In 2022, Manna moved to Woodburn Presbyterian church, who provided us with more storage space, tables, and gave us the opportunity to better streamline our distribution.
We thank and praise God always for His abundant provision for our ministry. Because of Him, we have been able to serve Brunswick County every month–except during hurricanes–for 15 years. It is by His grace and provision that Manna has the opportunity to love and serve our neighbors in need.
Our Volunteers
Our volunteers make the ministry happen. With zero paid staff, we rely on the generosity of our volunteers and donors to keep our doors open. We are eternally grateful for the sacrifices each one has made. Click Here to learn more about our rock star volunteers. Click here for a list of our generous donors.