Since it’s founding in 2006, Master’s Manna, Inc. has worked with thousands of individuals and families in need. The operation as a food pantry and clothes closet began in the basement of the Wallingford Church of the Nazarene in 600 sq. ft. on December 6, 2006.
By December of 2007, Master’s Manna relocated to a larger facility to meet the demand of our community. A small store front at 316 North Colony Road, Wallingford became our second home. Located on Route 5, many individuals were able to walk or take the bus. Here the food pantry and clothes closet expanded to include a soup kitchen, small community garden and vocational training. Master’s Manna became recognized as a community service site. Former Connecticut Gov. Jodi Rell initiated her “Care and Share” campaign in the Town of Wallingford at Master’s Manna in 2008.
By April of 2009, we relocated a third time to vacant warehouse space at 46 North Plains Industrial Road in Wallingford, CT. The 6100 sq. ft. space enabled Master’s Manna to continue to fulfill it’s mission and vision, and to serve an ever-growing number of clients.
In 2017, Master’s Manna, Inc. negotiated a new five year lease and moved to the current facility at 428 South Cherry Street, Wallingford, CT. As a former restaurant, we were thrilled to have an upgraded dining facility with a restaurant style Family Dining Area for meal service. In this former restaurant, we acquired a fully licensed commercial grade kitchen for meal preparation.
Here, we continue to provide the same basic resources to meet the basic necessities of life: Groceries in the Pappas Family Food Pantry, hearty home cooked meals served in the Family Dining Area; the Marketplace where registered clients can shop by appointment for basic housewares and clothing for all ages; a laundry facility that provides registered clients who cannot afford typical laundry or laundromat services to do two loads of laundry a week, and primary health care through our partnership with Community Health Care Services.
The Town of Wallingford recognizes Master’s Manna, Inc. as a “Lead Agency.” The agency is listed in the Town of Wallingford Directory. Master’s Manna, Inc. is also included in the State of Connecticut’s 211 Information system for social services.
Our success can be measured in the number of volunteers who currently or who had previously required the use of services provided at Master’s Manna and have gone on to secure employment and/or a suitable place to live. Our collaborative partnerships continue to grow as we identify unmet needs of our clients. Master’s Manna, Inc. has matured into a “safe haven” with a warm and caring family atmosphere that continues to serve families and individuals of all ages in the greater Wallingford/Meriden community.