Accomplishments

With dedication and compassion, The Board of Directors merged with a dynamic and vital volunteer force and a knowledgeable and well equipped staff, Master’s Manna has been able to achieve both great and small accomplishments that provide uplifts and benefits to the lives of others.

March 15, 2016 Master’s Manna was presented with the Meriden Public Schools Community Support Award
Master’s Manna is written into the curriculum of 6 local schools as a vocational/educational site
Donald Docherty had been continually homeless since we met him in 2006. In January 2016, Donald received approval for permanent housing in a local assisted living community.
In 2011 an individual facing food insecurity crossed our threshold. The young woman registered at the front desk for nutritional resources for her family of 7. Soon, Nydia was not only shopping in the Food Pantry but soon became a valued volunteer. Nydia went on to serve on our Board of Directors. Life really turned around full circle when she gained full time employment with one of our corporate partners
2015 Completed first organizational assessment & Strategic Plan for Master’s Manna, Inc. with focus on business continuity; community partnerships; fundraising; and board growth
September 26, 2016 Celebrated 10th Anniversary
October 2016 revised and updated By-Laws
November 2016 Updated Staff roles and responsibilities
December 2016 Initiated search for a new location in Wallingford CT
January 2017 Rebranded Master’s Manna logo and Social Media accounts;
August 1, 2017 Transitioned facility/operations to 428 South Cherry Street in Wallingford
September 2017 Established Donor Recognition wall in facility entry area
November 2017 Joined the Quinnipiac Chamber of Commerce
January 25, 2018 Dedication of the Pappas Family Food Pantry
April 12, 2018 Hosted First Annual Wine Tasting and Silent Auction Fundraiser/Event
June 2018 CHC Medical Office was re-established at Master’s Manna
April 25, 2019 Hosted 2^nd Annual Wine Tasting and Silent Auction Fundraiser/Event
June 2019 Formalized Board Member on-boarding process
March 2020 Moved food pantry services outside for a hybrid drive through model in response to COVID 19 pandemic in order to provide a safe environment for both Providers and Users

Testimonials

Mar 8, 2021

Good Day, Mr. Brooks,

Brandy Robinson has told me what a great partner you are in our collective work to assist the people we serve to stabilize and strengthen their lives.

Most recently, you were kind enough to give us two bins of adult clothing in wonderful condition to give to people as they need it. You also gave us laundry detergent which is always in great demand!

As organizations that are committed to very similar missions, we benefit from working together. Thank you for sharing with us. I don’t know if Brandy told you this but Liberty was blessed to receive LOTS of razors from Bic. If you would like a supply, just let Brandy know and we will make sure they get to you.

With gratitude,

Silvia Moscariello, MBA

Liberty CS.org

Program Director

(she, her, hers)

Date: 20 Feb 2021

Good evening, on behalf of the Outreach & Engagement team we would like to thank you very much for all of your donations. The generosity that you show us doesn’t go unnoticed. I can’t thank you enough. You gave blankets to people that would normally sleep on concrete, you gave household items to individuals who has moved into their own home. You provided laundry detergent for the clients to be able to wash their clothes. Today you really gave me an idea with the donations from today. I made goodie bags so that they can take with them when TIC closes for the day. They will at least have a snack for later on and I added a few other items, but you started the idea again thank you.

Thank you,

Brandy Robinson

Marrakech, Inc

December 23, 2020

Master’s Manna

Dear Gail,

Where to begin to adequately express our thanks to you? You made it possible for us to acquire so many resources in such a short time for our United Way Food Distribution. Finding a forklift and driver, recruiting volunteers, locating a venue to hold the event, providing a pallet jack (now we know what that is!), and being on hand to direct traffic were just a few of your contributions. It is not an exaggeration to say that, without Gail Powell and Master’s Manna, there would not have been such an event.

The two Tuesday events went superbly -not one single hitch that we can think of. The only disappointment was that the last two Tuesday truckloads were canceled. We were getting so good at this! We sincerely hope that the Farmers to Families program will be funded again. This time, we will get right in line at the start.

As a longtime volunteer at Master’s Manna, you have been aware of the need. So were we, which is why we quickly decided to hold our own event rather than send people to the United Way New Haven food distribution. We quickly learned we had made the right decision when you immediately stepped up and went to work on some of the most important elements of a successful drive.

Please also convey our thanks to all the other volunteers associated with your organization that participated. Everyone worked very hard with great good humor and commitment. It was a pleasure to work and get to know them.

In closing, let us wish you, your family and the entire Master’s Manna staff and volunteers a most joyous, peaceful and, above all, healthy holiday season. All of you can be proud of how you brought thousands in our communities some hope for the future.

Very truly yours,

Maria Campos Harlow, Executive Director

Diana Reilly, Associate Director