The Manna of Life Ministries located in Bronx, New York is an
organization that greatly impacts the people of the Bronx community and beyond.
Every Saturday, people from the parish gather to make bagged lunches
containing a sandwich (peanut butter and jelly sandwiches or tuna
sandwiches) a banana, apples slices, and
a juice. From here, the lunches are
distributed to gas stations to the homeless and day laborers. The lunches also stayed at the home location
so people staying at the homeless shelter across the street could come and pick
up their lunch for the day.
Upon arriving at Manna of Life, the appreciation was seen
immediately. The men and women who run
the organization were extremely thankful to have us there, and seeing what they
do for their community really made me feel like I was doing something bigger
than all of us. Their actions truly help the people of the community, and give
them the extra push to get by and hopefully allow them to eventually get back
on their feet.
Genoveve, a senior in high school who volunteers at Manna with her
mother, said something to me that really stuck.
She has been working with Manna since she was 15, coming every Saturday
since then to make the sandwiches and delivery them. She explained how even though she is not
getting paid, she does not consider it to be volunteer work as it has become a
regular part of her lifestyle. I feel
that this is the ultimate goal, as service should not be a once in a while
thing, but part of your daily and weekly life as a citizen. Genoveve and all the people at Manna life
Ministries are truly inspiring and their mission drives me to make service part
of my life with a passion for helping others as strong as theirs.
-Dana Logue
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