The Manna Project is a joint, interfaith project together with the Clifton Lutheran Church.
In 2018, Pastor James Bixby of the Clifton Lutheran Church and Rabbi David Cohen-Henriquez of Temple Sinai met to explore the possibility of working together for the greater good. They brought their idea, God Feeds God’s People, to their Marblehead congregations and Manna Project North Shore was born. This important project is now beginning its ninth year of feeding countless North Shore residents from all walks of life.
Food insecurity has become an increasing societal problem in this country. Hunger does not discriminate, transcending race, religion, age and class status. Even in seemingly prosperous Essex county, there are pockets of need struggling to access healthy food. By raising $8,700 in our first two years, we were able to purchase, pack and deliver 18,224 healthy, easy to prepare meals to supplement the diet of families at risk. With the limitations required by the Covid pandemic we adapted by raising and delivering about $19,700 worth of shelf stable food to the following nonprofit organizations: Catholic Charities, Council of Aging in Nahant, Haven for Hunger, Lynn Economic Opportunity, Lynn Community Health Center, Lynn Shelter, New American Center, No Child Goes Hungry, St. Joseph’s Food Pantry, Washington Street Baptist Pantry, Beverly Bootstraps, Lynn Hunger Network and My Brothers Table.
In addition, our members prepare lunches for guests at My Brother’s Table in Lynn on their regular schedule. Two years ago, we welcomed an Afghan family fleeing from their war torn country by setting up their kitchen with tableware and appliances, and filling their cupboards with food in a commitment we made for the year. Education being an integral part of our mission, we organized a forum for regional professionals to describe the local problem of food insecurity, including ways the public can respond, and recently ran an informational celebration of the food of Afghanistan to better support vulnerable immigrants.
Temple Sinai embraces Jews, Christians and all faiths working together with shared values to build relationships of mutual respect and understanding. Our Rabbi is collaborating with other North Shore faith leaders as we explore the biblical decree to love thy neighbor through the lens of our different traditions.