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Saturday, Nov. 07, 2009

Volunteers feed needy

Terry and Mary Loughran are a soft-spoken pair of retired folks who move a little slower than they used to.

Yet, the Loughran (pronounced "Lock-run") couple are busier than ever as co-presidents of the Manna House, a nonprofit organization in Mariposa that collects and distributes food to those in need.

"We're considered emergency food relief; we supply food for an individual or a family for three days," said Mary. "But with the downturn in the economy, people are coming more often -- not just once a month."

Terry explained that it used to be when a family ran out of food, there were only a few days left in the month before payday, and they just needed to get by. But now people are showing up two and three times a month.

Some of those people live in their cars and have nowhere to cook. Others have nowhere to sleep and are forced to find shelter outside.

No matter what the circumstances, the Manna House is there to help.

"We don't pry," Terry said. "But it comes out in their conversations."

The Manna House began in September 1984 through the Mariposa Ministerial Fellowship. It is completely run by volunteers -- about 46 total -- and there's always room for more.

United Way and FEMA give grants, and donations of food and money come in continually from local residents. An application is currently being processed for the Manna House to become part of Merced County's food bank.

Local churches and organizations also give on a regular basis. And the Von's and Raley's grocery stores in Oakhurst send their day-old bread and rolls every Tuesday. Food also comes in from local farmers, who provide fresh produce and eggs.

Two large refrigerators and three upright freezers contain perishable items such as meat and bread.

The walls of one room are lined with shelves holding cans of tuna, beans, soup and peanut butter, jars of jelly, boxes and bags of pasta, rice, macaroni and cheese and more beans.

Boxes of nonperishable milk also sit on the shelves, and everything is coded by a number system, so that older items are given out first, keeping stock rotated.

A few toiletry items are available, too.

At times, folks need more than food, and a volunteer will take them to a thrift store in town to buy a pot to cook in.

Or they'll be given a voucher for a sleeping bag or warm clothing. Pacific Gas and Electric Co. gives discounts on electric bills for those whose incomes are low.

Whatever the need, if the Manna House can't fill it, they'll direct the individuals to someone who can.

At Christmastime, members of the Boy Scout/Cub Scout Troop No. 94 stand outside a local market asking for donations of canned goods for the Manna House.

Foster True Value Hardware store holds an annual birthday celebration and gives the proceeds to Manna House. The Rotary Club and Chamber of Commerce, along with local stores and businesses, all find ways to help keep the organization supplied with food.

And the Mariposa County High School holds a penny drive .

"Last year the high school gave us a check for $2,000 from the pennies they collected," Terry said. "This is a wonderful community for giving."

In the past, 200 families or 500-700 people would come to the Manna House in a month's time, but those numbers have increased to 300 families or 900-1,000 individuals monthly.

Every year in December, those in need can receive a holiday dinner to take home and cook.

The Manna House Christmas Give-Away is held at the Mariposa County Fairgrounds on the same day as the Sheriffs Department Toy Give-Away.